Just like the disciples, I find myself continually waiting for the promise. The promise of peace in uncertain times, the promise of joy in the midst of turmoil and the promise of hope and a future. Have you ever found yourself waiting on a promise?
Over the last several weeks, we have moved through Jesus’ last days and have experienced Easter in new ways. With each step, we are waiting for the next thing. Sometimes, we wait not even knowing what we are really waiting for.
As we continue in our story, moving us closer to Pentecost, Luke 24:41-49 reads, “Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.
44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.
49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
What has God promised you?
This story of these disciples, being instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit, somehow reminds me of Mary, when the angel of the Lord appeared to her saying,
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” …“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. …37 For the word of God will never fail.”
Just like in Luke 24, Mary’s story is also filled with more promises than we can even count. As Mary begins waiting on the fulfillment of each promise, 33 years later, the disciples are waiting too. With each step they take in faith, God fulfills and offers up more promises, just like God did with Mary.
When you think about it, God is always doing a new thing. Often unnoticed, God births new things in our lives. Through the fulfillment of one promise, He offers up new ones, if we are willing to wait for them.
Are you willing to wait for it?
When we were trying to conceive, we experienced our own season of waiting. We waited and waited for what felt like forever. God had promised us we would have a child and we hoped it would be true. Once pregnant, we began waiting again. With complications, the nine months lingered on but God reassured us everything would be okay. As scared as we were, we believed God. Now, we have a 15 year old son who we will be a sophomore in high school next school year. Through our son, God has given us new promises and we anxiously await whatever God will do next.
As the disciples discover the resurrected Jesus, He offers them one last gift. It is the promise of the Holy Spirit and it will fill them with power from heaven. The disciples had to wait for it but we do not. It is ready and available to us today, all we have to do is receive it. Through that power, God gives us and them everything we need to proclaim the Good News to the world. What promises has God fulfilled in your life? Who could you share your story with today?
Let us pray; God of power and might, help us to wait for each and every promise you have given us. Equip us with your Holy Spirit to do your will, so that we may share the Good News of Jesus Christ to someone today. In Jesus’ name, Amen. -M
Exciting news! Check out Rich Lewis’ website Silence Teaches, where he posted, Interview with Melissa Thompson, I am excited to share my thoughts on prayer, my book and what’s next. If you would like to learn more about silence, contemplative and centering prayer practices, subscribe to his website.
