After Jesus rises from the dead, he spends a few weeks hanging out with his followers.
He tells then to stay in Jerusalem, waiting for a surprise Father God has planned for them: the gift of the Holy Spirit to come upon them and give them power (Matthew 28:19-20).
This is one of God’s instructions to them.
They wait and the Holy Spirit shows up (Acts 2:1-4). Amazing things happen, and the number of Jesus’ followers explodes (Acts 2:41).
They waited in Jerusalem as instructed, and they received the gift of Holy Spirit power as promised. But after all that, they remain in Jerusalem.
They are supposed to spread out and spread the word. Jesus told them to do that too. But they don’t. They stay where they are.
They don’t seem to realize that God’s instructions to wait in Jerusalem doesn’t mean they’re supposed to stay there forever.
Sometimes what God tells us to do is only for a season. Then there’s something else for us to do. But if we don’t make that transition, we end up being in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing.
[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Acts 1-4, and today’s post is on Acts 1:4-5.]
Read more about the book of Acts in Tongues of Fire: 40 Devotional Insights for Today’s Church from the Book of Acts, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.