Just Like He Promised

Acts1:1-5
Main Verse: Acts 1:5
by Brian Phillips

Reflection
Luke, author of Acts and the book bearing his name in the Bible, wants to put all doubt to rest:  Jesus isn’t dead.  He’s alive and kicking.

It was very important for people to know this.  If Jesus wasn’t alive, then, as Paul says in his second letter to the church of Corinth, “ . . . [the followers of Christ] are to be pitied more than all men.”  Why?  Because Jesus promised He would be raised from the dead.  Thus, if it didn’t happen, then He was nothing more than a scam artist.

But, Luke points out that Jesus did just what He said He’d do.  For forty days after His burial, He repeatedly showed Himself to people, so there would be no doubt He was alive.  In one sighting, He appeared to a crowd of over 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:6), putting to rest any accusations that He was just an hallucination.  After all, five Hundred people aren’t going to have the same hallucination, all at the same time.

There’s even better news.  If Jesus kept that promise, then He would keep one of His other promises, too.  The promise that He would baptize the apostles with the Holy Spirit.

What did that mean?  It meant that, rather than just having Jesus living beside them, they would have Him living IN-side them!  I know, it sounds weird, but it’s true.  Ask Him, and He’ll take up residence in you as well, and guide you through this thing called life.  He promised.

Food for Thought
Have you ever had to trust someone, even though circumstances made you question whether you should?

One summer, I went on a guided hiking trip in the San Juan Mountain range with friends.  Our guide was not only experienced, but credentialed.  She had been through rigorous training to do the job, and had been guiding for several years.

One day, while we were on a mountaintop, a sudden snowstorm blew in, accompanied by lightening.  Our guide screamed at us to race down to the nearest shelf, and sit on our packs.  Now, sitting there, in blinding snow with thunder clapping right beside us, didn’t seem the smartest thing to do.  But, since the beginning of the trip, our guide had proven to be reliable.  So, why doubt her now?

It was the right thing to do.  In the end, the storm passed and we were safe.  Just like she promised.

So What Now?
Are you trusting Jesus to keep His promises?  If so, He’ll guide you and keep you safe in all of life’s circumstances.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, sometimes I let my circumstances shake my confidence in you.  And yet, you have never broken your promises to me.  Please forgive me, and help me trust you more.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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