Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: 2 Chronicles 25-27; Luke 9:37-62
Scripture: Acts 1:8-14
8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
9 After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. 11 They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James, Alphaeus’ son; Simon the zealot; and Judas, James’ son— 14 all were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
‘Are you ready for Christmas?’ Usually, when we ask this question, we are asking if we got all our Christmas shopping completed. We are not suggesting that we should abstain from buying gifts for each other. Instead, we are asking that we make sure to carve out our time during this holiday season to reflect on the ‘End Game.’
Before the Marvel movie, ‘End Game’ hit the screens, people were trying to figure out what would happen. After everyone finished watching the 186-minute film, everything made sense.
In the same way, in this Advent season, we are backtracking from the ‘end game’ of Jesus’ arrival to the earth, to understand the true meaning of his coming. He says, “But 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” (Acts 1:8). Then the question can be flipped by asking ourselves, ‘Are we ready to receive the Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Lord, we come to the fount of every blessing, who promised your Son and the Holy Spirit! Prepare our hearts through the Advent season. Cleanse our lives, so we can receive the power of the Holy Spirit! In Christ’s name, we pray, Amen.
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