Could you have waited this long?

Could you wait 8 or 9 more days?

In this year, 2018, Resurrection Sunday was on April 1st.

Easter.

As I write this, 42 days have come and gone since then.

If we were disciples of Christ’s, or among His very close group of followers, at this time we would be gathered together….as Luke wrote about in Acts.

Gathered together 

Waiting together

Hoping together.
After His Ascension, He told them to gather and wait on The Holy Spirit to come. 

They most likely had no idea how that would occur, they had no idea exactly when this would happen or what it would truly mean to and for them.

They had been changed somewhat after walking with Jesus for 3 years. 

They had been affected greatly by His Trial, Death and Resurrection and continual Appearances to them during His 40 day Affirmation period.

Most likely, Jesus told them many things during those 40 days. He most likely told them some of the things He told them He could not tell them before He died and rose from His temporary death.

I know He spoke encouragement to them.

I know He spoke Affirmation to them.

Even after seeing Him as Transcendant, they still could not acquaint all of this with what they were to do next.
After 3 years of close-up instruction they had no definite plan going forward.

They had heard and seen and walked and talked with THE WORD for over 1,000 days, but had no understanding about their future save that Jesus told them to go and wait and they would receive His Gift of The Spirit.

How close have we been to spiritual events and experiences, great teaching and maybe The Presence of Jesus at times……and not allowed It to change us.
I believe not one knew what was truly to come.

They had no prior experience with any inner presence of Power. They had seen, touched and heard It…but had no further access to It.
This is true in our lives….we can read the words, listen to the sermons, we can see other people do great work …..

but until we have been invaded by this same Spirit they eventually received…we are as they were before It occurred.

Not truly effective or not truly powerful spiritually.

At this point …..

it’s been two days since The Ascension.

As we would, they were hoping HE would simply return. After all…He did say He would.

We know from Scripture that 10 days after The Ascension they were visited by and filled with The Holy Spirit.

They still had 8 more days until that occurred.

Eight more days to wait.

They waited.

They received.

They changed the world.
Would you have remained in that place?

I have thought as to whether or not any followers did indeed give up and  leave the gathering before The Spirit made His Entrance.

Think…..

Don’t be quick to say you WOULD have remained.

I hope I would have.

It is a matter of not getting distracted by things that are not as profound or as eternal as His Voice.

Do we take Him at His Word…???

Do we believe what He says will take place…???

Have you heard His Instruction in some area…only to give up and go on about your way before The Answer made Its Entrance into your situation…???

Waiting.

Is hard.

Goes against our nature.

But it is another, better, higher Nature….

in the Person of The Holy Spirit that we can receive.

Those few that waited…

received….

and we are talking about It today.