Get Ready!

Scripture

 Acts 1:9-17, 21-26

⁹ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. ¹¹ They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been 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 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of^[James. ¹⁴ All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, ¹⁶ “Friends,  the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— ¹⁷ for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry...”   ^.21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” ²³ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.  (NRSV)

Devotion

Nestled between the Ascension and Pentecost, today's scripture reading tends to get passed over by folks interested in those  bigger days. After all, who wants to focus on what the disciples did as they waited for the Holy Spirit when we could fast forward to the big moment?

Those who choose to skip ahead a few verses miss a valuable opportunity reflect on what to do and how to live as we wait for the Holy Spirit to send us forth on Christ's mission.  You see, the disciples didn't spend the 10 days between the Ascension and Pentecost just sitting around and twiddling their thumbs.  They used that time to actively prepare for whatever mission Christ had in store for them.

The disciples' preparations are intriguing.  First, they made sure to gather Jesus's followers together.  This decision to stick together ensured that when the Holy Spirit told them what to do, they would be able to quickly spread the word, pool together their resources, and set forth on their mission.  It also gave them plenty of opportunities to comfort, support, and uplift one another as they spiritually prepared themselves for the work ahead.

Second, the gathered believers devoted themselves to prayer. Such prayers opened the lines of communication with Jesus and prepared them to receive the Word that he was about to write upon their hearts and minds.  And though they didn't know it yet, those open line of communication with Christ would help them discern what Jesus would have them the strength, courage, and wisdom to keep spreading God's word through great trials and tribulations of their own.  

Third, the believers chose someone to take over the responsibilities of the now deceased Judas.  As one of Jesus's twelve closest male followers, Judas had taken care of important ministry work...work that needed to continue if the disciples were to be effective in leading the larger group of believers in Jesus's absence.   By choosing Matthias to take over Judas's duties, Jesus's followers were making sure that no matter what Christ expected them to do or where they were asked to go, their group would be prepared to handle the day-to-day aspects of ministry.

I'm sure the disciples were not expecting the Holy Spirit to arrive the way it did.  Still, their careful preparations while they waited had made them ready to set out on their various journeys.  Those preparations would continue to help them as they spread the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.

Christians today still await the Holy Spirit's guidance on many things.  It can be tempting to just sit back and relax while we wait.  What we should really do, though, is take a page out of the disciples book and try to prepare for road ahead.  Our preparations can take the form of studying God's word.  Or gathering together to offer words of support and challenge.  Or doing important groundwork by getting people, resources, and systems in place.  However we prepare, we should so prayerfully, so that when the Holy Spirit calls us up, we will be ready to listen to it and answer it faithfully.

As we draw ever closer to Pentecost, I challenge each of us to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Let's ask ourselves what need to get ready for the mission that Christ will set before us.  And once we've identified those actions we need to take, let's actually do them.  Then, when the time finally comes and the Spirit sends us forth, we will have what it takes to do signs and wonders in a world that desperately needs the love of Christ.

 

Prayer

 Holy Spirit, we long for a word from you.  Help us prepare for the road ahead while we wait for your instructions.  Amen.