Receive the Power
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
Here we are at the end of the book of Luke. This portion of each of the gospels is widely known as the great commission. It is when Jesus told the disciples that they are now His witnesses and to go into all the nations to preach the good news of repentance and remission of sin through the blood of Jesus.
However, many people miss the first direction that Jesus gave the disciples and believe that all Christians are His witnesses and that all should go out into the nations or wherever they are and preach the gospel. While we all are called to tell the good news to others no matter how long or short of time we have been saved, this passage tells us the way to be most effective is to first be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told the disciples to go back into Jerusalem and wait. Wait until they would be endued with power from on high, the power of the Holy Spirit. That is exactly what they did. The final verses of chapter 24 say that Jesus prayed a blessing over them and while He prayed, He was taken up into heaven and parted from them. Then, the disciples returned to Jerusalem, with great joy and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Notice, they did not immediately go out into all the world to preach the gospel, they waited. In fact, they waited for 10 days before the Holy Spirit came down on them. That is when the were filled up with power from on high to go into all the world. That power was so evident, that it completely transformed the disciples in the upper room and they began to turn the entire world upside down.
What would have happened if they hadn’t done what Jesus said to do and waited? First of all, they would not have been in the right place on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came. They would have all gone separate ways to cover the known world at that time and probably would have ended up quitting or being martyred. It wasn’t until they received the power of God on their lives that each one of them became and effective witness and many were added to the Kingdom of heaven each day.
So how does that apply to us today? Our direction is no different than it was for Jesus’ followers 2000 years ago. After we receive salvation through the blood of Jesus into our lives and hearts and make Him Lord and Savior, we are to also be immersed into the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in the fullness of His authority here in today’s world. It will probably not be an experience like the disciples had when the room was shaken and tongues of fire sat on their heads, but you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit in the same way you received Jesus into your life. Ask Him to empower you and plunge you into the ministry and calling that God has planned for your life. Receive by faith even if you do not see an instant phenomenon and begin to walk through the open doors that He provides for you to be His witness. First to your family, then to your neighborhood and then beyond.
Today I want to encourage you to receive the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. If you already have at some point, maybe it is time for a refilling. Much like your spiritual batteries need a recharge regularly, by getting in the Word and into God’s presence, you can be drained of the Spirit’s power and need a refilling to get back out there in the highways and byways. Invite the Holy Spirit and His power into your life today and become that witness that turns your world upside down.
Pray: Holy Spirit, I invite you to come into my life and immerse me into your power and authority in this world. Empower me to be my Father’s witness to those around me and to those even far from me. I receive You and your power to the fullest into my life right now, in Jesus name, Amen.
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 24:44-53
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And you are witnesses of these things.
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
The Daily Dose 