Their days with the risen Christ are almost over. The disciples hear once more from him the meaning of the journey to Jerusalem, Good Friday and Easter morning. Then their Lord tells them to go back to Jerusalem for the final chapter, the giving of the Holy Spirit. They are to wait to be clothed with the power from high, when they will become witnesses of all that has happened.
Earlier in the Easter story the disciples hide, fearing Jesus’ enemies. Yet back in Jerusalem they offer praise to God openly in the temple. They desire everyone to know what the Creator has done in Christ, and what God is going to do next. This is only the beginning.
In two Sundays, on Pentecost, we will hear the story of this gift of the Holy Spirit coming not only to the disciples, but to all of God’s people: young and old, male and female, Jew and non, ancient and present-day. We will hear that we, too, are to be witnesses of these things, not only in the temple, but to the ends of the earth. Are we ready?
Spirit God, help us to be ready to witness to the cross and the resurrection in our lives, both in this place and throughout the world. Amen. — MHD