Luke the physician wrote, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”, and in chapter one and verse four of the book of Acts Luke wrote how Jesus, “being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem” where we read:
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me.
The verse begins, “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, ...” Luke began with the words, “and, being assembled together with them” which means “and, gathering together, meeting and convening with His disciples”, “commanded them” or “charged, enjoined and declared to His students, pupils and attendants” “that they should not depart from Jerusalem” which means “that His disciples were not to leave or go forth from the city of Jerusalem which means set you double peace and was the capital of Palestine”. Luke shared how Jesus gathered with His disciples and instructed them not to leave “Jerusalem”.
The verse continues, “... but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me.” Luke added the words, “but wait for the promise” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover tarry, stay around and await the announcement, information, assent, pledge and message of the divine assurance of good” “of the Father” which means “belonging to the Heavenly Father God”, “which, said he” or “that uttered, declared and proclaimed God the Father that”, “you have heard of me” which means “you, disciples of Jesus, were endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving, noticing and discerning from me, Jesus”. Luke shared how Jesus instructed His “disciples” to “wait” for God's “announcement of divine assurance of good” which He previously told them.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn that Jesus wanted His “disciples” to stay in the city of “Jerusalem” until they “heard” from His Heavenly Father God. Jesus previously told His “disciples” the Holy Spirit would be sent unto them, (See Luke 11:13, 24:49; John 14:16 and 14:26 for more information), and soon would be the time when this “promise” was fulfilled. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Jesus promised to send the “Holy Spirit” to empower those who believe and trust in Him to live out and share His “good news” throughout the world. Those who surrender their lives to Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given the ability to share His “good news” throughout their lives.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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