They asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [Acts 5-8 ESV]
Can you imagine the shock on the disciples' faces as they watched Jesus disappear.
This final miracle totally took them by surprise.
They were expecting Jesus to restore the Kingdom to Israel.
Their minds were on earthly answers and physical kingdoms.
The dreams of a restored Israel disappeared with Jesus in the clouds.
To these Jesus spoke of a heavenly kingdom and of spiritual power.
He spoke to them about being his witnesses when the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
Even so, some folks think of the word 'witness' as a verb rather than a noun.
These think it is something you do rather than the person who you are.
In truth our lives witness to the influence that the Holy Spirit has in our lives.
When his influence is weak, we witness a life of worry and fear.
When it is strong, we witness to something else - something greater.
I need you Lord. Help my life witness to the power of the Holy Spirit.
... this devotion is part of the Red Letters series. Click here to read more.
love this.....very much love this
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