NOT A PERSONAL FORTUNE TELLER

READ: Acts 1:3-9

ANSWER THIS: Who would you go to for advice about your future?

THE BREAKDOWN

Jesus is wrapping up his time with the disciples. Over a period of 40 days following his resurrection, he’s appeared to them on several occasions, leaving no doubt he was alive. He uses the time to talk to them about the Kingdom of God—a reference to God’s rule over Heaven and Earth, and made up of those who love Jesus and acknowledge him as Lord.

Once, during those 40 days, while eating with the disciples, he told them to stay in Jerusalem until God sent “the gift He promised.” That gift would be the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus previously told them about, prior to his crucifixion.

Jesus reminds them that John the Baptist baptized them with water, then tells them they’ll be baptized with the Holy Spirit in just a few days. In essence, he was letting them know that while he will no longer be WITH them physically, the Holy Spirit will soon come to dwell IN them.

But, in the last moments the disciples have with Jesus, there’s something else on their minds. They want to know when he will free the Jews from the Roman occupation, and restore their nation to its former glory.

Jesus tells them that’s up to God, and no man can know the date or time. He tells them in the meantime, the Holy Spirit will come and fill them with power, enabling them to spread the word about God’s love throughout the world, expressed through Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.

With those last words, Jesus is lifted up into the clouds, until he is out of sight.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Jesus had previously told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and lead them in truth after he was gone (see John 14:16-17). This was important, as Jesus was about to physically depart, and they would need someone to guide them in the next stage of their journey as his followers.

However, judging by their last question for Jesus, they still didn’t fully understand the significance of the events that transpired over the previous 40 days. They would need insight from a new Teacher, who could pull back the curtain, so to speak, on the spiritual significance of Jesus’ resurrection, and the implication it had for all mankind: That we can trust Jesus at his word, that there is life after death; and, that we’ll spend eternity with him if we seek his forgiveness and grace.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

Given the chance, what would you ask Jesus about your future? Would you want details, or would you just want to know if things work out well for you? Unfortunately (or, fortunately), Jesus isn’t our personal fortune teller. He’d prefer we trust the Holy Spirit to “lead us in truth,” one day at a time, along life’s journey. That way, we can ask him for daily guidance, rather than be overwhelmed with knowing what lies ahead.

PRAYER

“Jesus, sometimes I worry about my future, and I want to know what’s going to happen to me. But, I understand I probably couldn’t handle knowing too much. I need to trust you and the Holy Spirit to lead me each step along the way, one day at a time.”