ON A DIFFERENT TRAIN OF THOUGHT

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 

 

 

Even though the disciples had walked with Jesus for over three years, they did not understand why He had come. 

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for about 40 days. During that time, He was speaking to them the things regarding the kingdom of God. 

One of the big events that was to take place in their lives was being baptized or immersed in the Holy Spirit.  

Jesus used the picture of water baptism to signify what would happen to them. Except their immersion would be in the Holy Spirit, not water. Oh, they were still to preach and baptize believers with water, but Jesus was referring to a completely different baptism. 

After receiving this good news, the disciples had a question that was completely unrelated to what Jesus had promised.  

They wanted to know when Jesus was going to restore the kingdom to Israel. When was Jesus going to make Israel a world power again. 

Jesus is so patient. He did not speak harshly or criticize His followers. He merely let them know that the times and seasons of God were above their pay grade.  

But. And this was an important but because it would help the disciples focus on their mission. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses. The followers of Jesus would become empowered witnesses of Jesus to spread the good news all over the earth. 

The disciples were thinking earthly kingdom and earthly power. Jesus was thinking of God's kingdom and God's power. A way different train of thought.   

APPLICATION: 

The purpose of being immersed with the Holy Spirit today is still the same - to live as empowered witnesses to the reality of Jesus. And to spread this good news to our families, friends, people in our realm of influence and beyond. To establish God's spiritual kingdom all over the world. 

PRAYER:  

Father, empower me with Your Holy Spirit to be a witness of Jesus in my world.