Acts 1:1-15 ~ together

 

Acts 1:1-15

1 In the first book,  Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, "you heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 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."

9 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. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as He went.

Behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven."

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled"

The movie, Places in the Heart, 1984, could have been the Story of Jacob. Jacob wants more than he can have. His mother says he should have more. Isaac is dying, so the time is right to take the Abraham Blessing from Esau. 

Then a tumble down of God events to create in Jacob an understanding of taking as injustice. The loss of his home. To be less than admired or put first in his uncle's home. Taken advantage of. Loss of the 14 fertility years with Leah. Surrounded by family, he never thought to create. The need to leave his uncle. The ways of evil, the curse placed on Leah, from her underhanded dealings. Like the Exodus, to travel in harsh terrain. Never having the Holy Land seem peaceful or Holy to Jacob.

We never find Esau and Jacob living in harmony for any long period of time. Time and tide with human ability to create dissention has pushed apart the Holy Family Abraham had longed to see. Like David's grandson Rehoboam - the end of the Dynasty of Israel. 

It's another reason than simply being in complete understanding of Jesus' location in Acts 1.

Jesus lets us know, He is not pushed by time and tide. His direction is straight to God, upward.

Acts 1 has the ending we would all long to have. Forgiveness. All the people have fully understood the currents of a Jacob life we live. And have decided that Love is the most important portion.

Acts 1 is simply the most miraculous portion of peace. Mary, her family, Jesus, the Disciples. This is the Work of God and a Glimpse of Heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. 

And this is not your own doing; 

it is the gift of God, 

not a result of works, 

so that no one may boast.

Abba, Father,

Father God, each day, let me walk with You. 

Let the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth, 

be pleasing to You. 

My Rock and my Redeemer. 

In the Blessing 

You gave Your Beloved:

Bless those I love

and Keep them

Let Your Face to Shine upon us

and Be Gracious to us, please.

Lift Your Countenance and Smile

Give us Your Peace

and Cover us 

in 

The Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

The Lord!

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †