Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While He was with them, He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So, when they met together, they asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
– Acts 1:3-11
Devotion
Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after His resurrection. The disciples waited another ten days in Jerusalem before the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven to fill them with power for ministry. On the Jewish Day of Pentecost, the Spirit fell upon the 120 disciples gathered together. So, the “church” was born in Jerusalem. The first phase of the mission outlined by Jesus was underway (Acts 1:8).
The Big Question
What does it mean to be Jesus’ witness? Why did Jesus tell His disciples to wait in Jerusalem? Why was it necessary to wait for the Holy Spirit to indwell them? Are you a witness for Jesus in your home? Workplace? Community? Who is in your top three? What interesting facts stand out to you about the birth of the church?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.