Why are you standing there?

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

There are several moments written in scripture that I would have loved to seen in person. Several of these events have been made into videos but most leave us wishing for more. This opening of Acts is one such time. Can you imagine what you would have felt seeing Jesus lifted up into the air and then disappearing before your eyes. It is the stuff we pay to watch at nearly every magic show, and I have spent enough money to know tat the disappearing acts are really what we want.

But that is not what gets me thinking. Jesus told these guys that they would have power soon. Most of us tend to think this means things like the spiritual gifts. You know the gift of healing, tongues, prophecy, and such. The thing is they already had most of these gifts, Jesus sent them out in groups and they cast out demons already. Over seventy people were doing this prior to Jesus’ death. Which makes me think, what power is he talking about?

I do not claim to know the original language, but I think the are refering more to influence than anything else. We will see the influence of Christ grow in greater ways after the Spirit comes than when Jesus actually walked the Earth. If you take a moment to consider thi it is the truth, the Spirit was able to influence people around the world at the same time, where Jesus could only be physically in one area.

At times I wonder why I do not see the power of God working around me. The angels caught the disciples looking up in the sky just standing there. They asked why are you standing. Odd question but Jesus did just send them on a quest. They were to go make disciples in their home town, their nation, and around the world. We will never see the power of God if all we do is stand, we must do something. We must pray, and then move when called. We also need to be open and honest, if we are not living in truth, we wil not be able to see the power of truth working around us.

The influence and power of God is far greater today than it has ever been, I am excited to see what he will do in the future, when I like all of you decide to stop standing around.