by Beth Moore
No matter what your interpretation may be, I think we all can admit that the question plagues us as well at times, no matter what our reason for asking. Perhaps you have served near someone else, and God has called you to suffer some pretty difficult circumstances while he or she seems to flourish in relative ease. Or perhaps your heart has broken for someone who works so hard and serves so diligently, but difficulty is her constant companion. Maybe one of your children has seemed so blessed and gifted by God and you keep looking at the other and asking, "Lord, what about him?"
Whatever your experience or mine, I know we can benefit from Jesus' command in John 21:22: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me!" Does His response speak to you as strongly as it does to me in times when I wonder what God is doing in someone else's life?
Beloved, over and over Jesus tells us, "You can trust Me!" In this scene He is saying to His present-day disciples, "You can trust Me with you, and you can trust Me with them. I am the same God to all of you, but I have a different plan for each of you. You won't miss it if you keep following. Remember, I've been a carpenter by trade. Custom blueprints are My specialty. God's glory is My goal. Now fill your canteen to the brim with love and follow Me."
Chapter 14
IF AND WHEN
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. (Acts 1:8)
Let's not work up to something profound in this chapter. Let's just get started with it. Before we go a moment further, try to grasp this: They saw Him. They touched Him. The disciples came face-to-face and hand to nail-scarred hand with the resurrected Lord of hosts. Yes, we walk by faith, but do you realize that our faith is based on Rock-solid fact? We are going to stand on the sidelines and watch the disciples experience some pretty wild things, and yet they happened just as Scripture says they did.
You see, the testimony of the incomparable Word of Truth makes what seems incredible perfectly credible. We begin with Acts 1:1-12. You are probably very familiar with the scene described in these verses, but sometimes over familiarity can be the biggest treasure thief of all. Rewind the verses again, and let's replay them in slow motion.
Luke begins the Book of Acts, the companion volume to the Gospel of Luke, at the end of Christ's earthly tenure. Luke tells us Jesus had showed Himself to be alive "by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God" (v. 3 NASB). Now at the end of that time, Christ and His disciples gathered at the Mount of Olives (v. 12).
Jesus spoke these final words: "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" (v. 8). I am convinced we can as readily apply Jesus' promise of power as did Christ's original disciples. The Holy Spirit comes no other way but in power. His omnipotence is part of His essence. The Spirit of Christ cannot come to us weak or fragile. He comes with power.
Before our chapter's conclusion, we'll also see that when we receive what the Holy Spirit is fully equipped to apply to us, the effects show. In fact, that's the point. Paul said we have this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7). The "treasure" Paul is touting is the Holy Spirit. Besides the multifaceted ministries of the Holy Spirit to each believer, according to the verse, God's goal in giving us this treasure is "that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves."
Beloved, God wants to hang out all over you! Don't you see? That's why our circumstances and challenges are often beyond us! If life were completely manageable, we'd manage on our own strength, and no one would see the living proof of God's existence in us. We were left here for the distinct purpose of becoming witnesses to an injured world in desperate need of a Savior.
Do you belong to Jesus Christ? If so, the Holy Spirit dwells in you (Rom. 8:9), and He did not cheat you of a single ounce of His power. He came to show off in you. As He does, your whole life will become a living witness just like the disciples. Our assignments may differ, but you and I have exactly the same Holy Spirit that Christ promised to His first disciples. If we only knew what we had, our lives would be so different!
After Christ gave them the assurance of the coming power of the Holy Spirit, we are told He was taken up "before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight" (Acts 1:9). Try to imagine being one of the eleven on the Mount of Olives that day. Verse 11 seems to imply they were all standing, so imagine that they were basically eye to eye with Jesus, not letting a single word from His mouth fall to the ground. Jesus promised them the power of the Holy Spirit; then without warning the disciples realized that they were glancing somewhat upward as He seemed a tad taller. As He rose a head above them, surely some of them looked down and saw that His feet were no longer on the ground. Luke 24:50 tells us Christ was blessing them as He lifted off the ground. Can you imagine what they were thinking and feeling?
Perhaps by now your imagination has drawn a rough sketch of the apostle John on the canvas of your mind. Picture him and the others bug-eyed with their mouths gaping open. Had my grandmother been one of the disciples (a frighteningly funny thought), she would have stood there saying, "Now, don't that just beat all?" I feel sure they said something comparable in Aramaic.
Just about the time they might have tried to rub the supernatural sight out of their eyes, God threw a cloudy cloak of shekinah glory over His beloved Son and swept Him home. Oh, don't you know the Father had been watching the clock of earth for that precious moment to finally arrive? While Christ was no prodigal, He was most assuredly a son who had journeyed to a foreign land. I can almost hear the Father say to His servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again!" (see Luke 15:22-24).
Had the angels not broken the stare, the remains of eleven stiff carcasses might still be on the Mount of Olives today. The angels said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11 NASB).
I wonder if their words about the return of Christ stirred up memories of a very recent conversation between Jesus and Peter, overheard by John. You'll remember Jesus said to Peter, of John, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me" (John 21:22). The implication of Christ's words may have led both Peter and John to wonder if the younger son of Zebedee would live to see Jesus return. We know for a fact that such a rumor spread. Whether or not Peter and John temporarily mistook Christ's if for a when, plenty of others did. (Remember, the Gospel was written years later when retrospect made statements like these much clearer.) Beloved, few words in Scripture are bigger than if Watch for it and be careful not to make it a when. The Word of God is full of unconditional promises, but plenty of other statements of biblical fact hinge on an if In this very chapter we've discussed a priority promise Christ gave in Acts 1:8. It's a when statement: "when the Holy Spirit comes on you."
Those of us in Christ may keep wondering if we have the power to be victorious in the challenge before us, but God's wondering when we're going to believe Him!
Scripture tells us the disciples' return to the city was a "Sabbath day's walk," which would have been about three-fourths of a mile. I have walked that brief trek a number of times, and it is straight downhill until you ascend back up the temple mount to the city gates. You can hardly keep from walking fast due to the incline, but somehow I'm imagining their mouths were traveling faster than their feet. (You're imagining that mine was too!)
We read that the disciples went upstairs to the room where they were staying (Acts 1:13). The definite article and the emphatic arrangement of the words in the Greek sentence structure indicate that the location was well-known and highly significant to the
disciples.' In the days that followed, the now eleven apostles were joined for prayer by several women, Mary, and Jesus' siblings. Acts 1:15 shows Peter speaking to that first New Testament cell group that numbered 120 people.
You may attend a church about this size and wonder with frustration what God could do with such a small group of people. Dear One, when the Holy Spirit falls on a place, it doesn't matter how small the group-things start happening! Remember, the Holy Spirit comes in order to get results! Let's find out what can happen when the Holy Spirit interrupts a prayer meeting. You and I are about to behold the disciples' when!
Now I want you to come with me on one of my favorite journeys. Look at the headings in Leviticus 23. This awesome Old Testament chapter records the annual feasts God appointed to Israel. I am convinced every one of them is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In the context of this chapter, we'll emphasize three.
The most important of the Jewish feasts was (and is) Passover (Lev. 23:4-8). I so love the last few words in 1 Corinthians 5:7: "Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed" (NASB). We can easily see the connection that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Passover lambs slain in history.
The feast that immediately followed Passover was Firstfruits, when a sheaf of the first grain of the harvest was waved before the Lord for His acceptance (Lev. 23:11). This was the day after the Passover Sabbath, obviously falling on a Sunday. First Corinthians 15:20-23 clearly says that the resurrection of Jesus was the firstfruits. "Now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep" (v. 21 NASB).
Fifty (pente) days after Passover came the Feast of Weeks, later called Pentecost. It was the celebration of seven weeks of harvest. The one sheaf waved on Firstfruits turned into an entire harvest celebrated seven weeks and one day later. "Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming" (1 Cor. 15:23 NASB). The Feast of Weeks was the presentation of an offering of new grain to the Lord (Lev. 23:16). In other words, it was the celebration of harvest reaped.
Now do you see the significance of what happened on Pentecost? Fifty days earlier Christ, the Passover Lamb, had been crucified. On the day of Firstfruits, that very Sunday morning, His life was waved acceptable before God as the firstfruit from the dead. Fifty days after Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came just as Christ promised. And He came to show off! He revealed His all-surpassing power in simple jars of clay that day. The Holy Spirit never comes just to show off, however. He comes to show off and bring results: "The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47).
Beloved, I present to you the first harvest reaped by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. That's Pentecost! And even now I believe we are still living in the continuing harvest of Pentecost. Christ tarries only so that the harvest can reach its peak ripeness and be reaped to the glory of God. He does not will for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). He desires everyone. He forces no one. He will not wait forever.
One day the ultimate Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-24; 1 Thess. 4:16) will come, and we will meet Jesus in the air. Then one day the books will be opened and closed for the last time, and the final judgment will take place (Rev. 20:11-15). The Day of Atonement will be past (Lev. 23:26-27; Rom. 3:23-25). Those who were covered by the blood of the Passover Lamb will tabernacle (Lev 23:33-34) with God forever and ever ... and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17).
“But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again.. . .' So they began to celebrate" (Luke 15:22-24).
I feel like getting started a little early. I'm going to go put on some praise music, and I may just put on my dancing shoes!
Chapter 15
JUST A HANDFUL
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." (Acts 3:6) 19
Scripture sends me. That's all there is to it. We have an appointment with Peter and John in just a few minutes at Solomon's Temple, but first I need to run ahead and do what Psalm 50:14 says: "Sacrifice thank offerings to God, / fulfill your vows to the Most High." The rocks will cry out if I don't stop and make a thank offering. My heart overflows with inexpressible gratitude to God for the treasure of His Word. He has singlehandedly used His Word to heal me, free me, thrill me, and lead me. I love it so much that sometimes when I finish reading a segment that has opened a fresh spring in the deep well of my soul, I cannot help but gently, reverently kiss the page.
The Word is the only truly divine substance that is touchable and tangible in this earthly realm. I do not worship a book. I worship the One who breathed life onto the page in the form of human vocabulary so that mortal creatures like me could hear the very voice of Jehovah God. I could weep at the thought. Often a dear sister who has been touched by one of the Bible studies will thank me for writing them. A lump wells in my throat as I try to articulate to you what I want to say to her:
Beloved, I thank you. Do you realize that your desire for these studies is the very thing God uses to keep this woman who was once so broken and self-destructive in a perpetual state of healing and filling? Life in the Word has released me from life in the pit and caused my soul to dance in meadows of wildflowers and swim in coral reefs! I trek to exotic places on the other side of the globe and step back in time to an ancient civilization and all without leaving my office! I am awash with gratitude to God and to this small slice of the body of Christ that gives me such invitation.
At the conclusion of our previous chapter, you and I celebrated the Pentecost of three thousand souls. Added to the strong cell group of 120, Solomon's Temple would have paled in comparison to the gleaming harvest. Before we get to the heart of this chapter's study, consider the description of the early church in Acts 2:42-47. The following is my paraphrase: They were devoted to both the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship of fellow believers. They regularly saw wonders and miraculous signs done by the apostles. They shared their wealth and livelihoods, giving to anyone who had need. They met together daily for prayer and fellowship with glad and sincere hearts. Finally, people were being saved and added to the church.
Now that's a church I want to attend! Let's get to our appointment with Peter and John. Acts 3:1-13 tells of the two entering the temple. Peter healed a lame beggar, which drew a crowd. Then when the crowd had gathered, Peter preached a powerful sermon pointing the people to the Jesus they had crucified.
Can you believe the change in Peter already? Primarily the difference is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, but I believe Peter's former failure was a huge part of his present victory. We wonder why God allows some of us, yours truly included, to be sifted like wheat. Then when we see the difference in Peter, the reason is clear. God only allows servants to be sifted who have something that needs sifting!
If we feel like we're going through a sifting season because God has allowed the enemy to play havoc in our lives, we are wise to cut to the chase and find out what God wants sifted. God saw the same thing in my earlier ministry that I believe He saw in Peter's. You spell it P-R-I-D-E. Let me assure you, God's methods of separating the chaff from the grain are very effective.
What you have in this chapter of Scripture is a pair of mighty fine servants. Allow me to highlight a few things I love about Peter and John in this scene.
1. They cherished their heritage. Please don't miss the fact that the New Testament church was Jewish! According to Acts 2:46 the believers met daily in the temple courts. Acts 3 opens with Peter and John on their way to the three o'clock prayer time at the temple, which coincided with the evening sacrifice. The thought never occurred to them to cast off their Judaism for their new faith in Christ. For heaven's sake, Jesus was Jewish! Nothing could have been more absurd. Their Messiah
had fulfilled their Jewish heritage. They were no longer obligated to the letter of the Law because Christ had met its righteous requirements. They were free, however, to enjoy its precepts and practices as expressions of their faith in Jesus.
Can you imagine how belief in Christ and their newfound knowledge of Jesus as the answer to every symbolic practice spiced up their participation? Suddenly the black-and-white of their ritual prayer services turned Technicolor with the life of the Spirit. I snicker when I think of observers at Pentecost thinking the disciples must have been drinking. Don't you know they secretly wanted a sip of whatever the believers were having?
Last year I stumbled on a definition of a Hebrew word that I want to share with you. Take a look at the well-loved Scripture, Jeremiah 29:11, "`For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, `plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."' According to the Old Testament Lexical Aids of the Key Study Bible, the Hebrew word for future includes the following explanation: "Its general meaning is after, later, behind, following. The Hebrew way of thinking has been compared to a man rowing a boat; he backs into the future while looking toward where he has been. Therefore, what is `behind' and what is `future' come from the same root, 'char."'
Try to grasp this: God cherishes your heritage, too. You may balk, "What are you talking about? My past is horrible!" Listen carefully, Beloved. We are no longer under the law and authority of our pasts, but like Peter and John we are also free to use them as they lend expression to our faith in Jesus. As much as you might not want to hear this, you couldn't become the servant God is calling you to be without the threads of your past being knitted into the Technicolor fabric of your future.
If your heritage had absolutely nothing to do with your future, God is far too practical to have allowed it. I am convinced this is true in my own life. When Satan begged to defile my young life, I don't believe he would ever have gained an ounce of permission from God had my faithful Father not known without a doubt how He could use it. God is never more glorified than when He brings an oak of righteousness (Isa. 61:3) out of what once was so damaged a root.