Pointing to Pentecost

It doesn’t;t take a rocket scientist to know that there are two ways at looking at a situation. We can either see it in a positive light or a negative light. Take for instance the corona virus. We could see it government interventions as an invasion of privacy, a violation of our rights guaranteed under the constitution, etc., etc. ad nauseam. Truth be known, those of us who know the Higher Power – Jesus, understand that He is the Sovereign Ruler over the earth, and the engineer of our circumstances. All of that to say, What are you doing with the circumstances He has engineered?

This morning a Scripture came to light that I had read before but hadn’t paid much attention to. That is until this morning. Luke 24:50 Then He conducted them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He invoked a blessing on them. Now I have noticed that it mentions the name of the town Bethany, and I’ve definitely paid attention to the verse which precedes it – but is there a connection? Luke 24:49 And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high. Is there a connection between this moment in time (the virus, stay at home orders, businesses shutting down, schools closing, people dying, etc.) – and the fact that we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus? Is there a connection between our church being located on Beulah Church Road – which means “wedded” and the fact that it is located in Weddington, or Union County? Could all of these coincidences be pointing to something much bigger that Jesus, our Bridegroom, wants to do throughout His Church? We’ve been given a unique opportunity to stop, and get off the madness of this merry-go-round existence in America – and do what ever we want with our spare time. Essentially, an extended vacation.

Is it a coincidence that many celebrated and observed Passover with the practice of removing “leaven” from their homes? Is it any coincidence that this was proceeded by eating the Passover Lamb. A Lamb for Christians – that will take away the sins of the world. A Lamb for Jews – that causes them to remember that its blood was placed over their ancestors homes, causing death to Passover. And is it any coincidence that both Christians and Jews look forward towards Pentecost?

From Bethany the Disciples were given instructions to wait in the city for the Promise of Power from on high. In the Book of Acts they were given more detailed instructions: And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with (placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit….But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.⁹ And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.¹⁰ And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them,¹¹ Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.¹² Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, [only] a Sabbath day’s journey (three-quarters of a mile) away.¹³ And when they had entered [the city], they mounted [the stairs] to the upper room where they were [indefinitely] 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 of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:4-5, 8-14 AMPC)

Isn’t it odd that before Passover these Disciples were searching for leaven – a symbol of self, pride, sin, and religion – and following Jesus’ Resurrection, they went searching for the lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world? Isn’t it odd that leaven caused bread to rise, appearing better than it really was, and that this was what Jesus wanted them to get rid of? While, following Jesus’ Resurrection He wanted them to search for the Power that raised Him from the dead? Jesus wanted them to search for the Promise, Power, Fire, and the Holy Spirit. And the searching was to be accompanied by prayer. Should this search ever stop?

What’s interesting about the place where Jesus left His Disciples is that it was near the location of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus wrestled in prayer before His crucifixion. It is the location of where His Disciples deserted Him, and one Disciple betrayed Him. But what’s interesting about this location is what comes afterwards: And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from the east to the west by a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north and half of it toward the south. (Zechariah 14:4 AMPC)

I’m believing that the circumstances of the past and those of are present are inextricably bound together pointing us in a direction that calls for action. That action that we are being called too is a seeking for the Promise of the Spirit. Many will glibly say, “But Robert, I already have the Spirit.” Which is true for those who are born-again of the Spirit. But remember, these same Disciples also had the Spirit. What Jesus had them searching for was Fire, Power, and Promise. It was an equipping He had them hunting for.

At Bethany, Jesus drew the line in the sand – so to speak, inviting a division between those who would press on for the more, and those who would remain as they had been. I believe that Jesus is calling our church to press on for the more. That we are to continue our nightly practice of seeking Jesus for the Baptism of Fire, and Power to be equipped for ministry, witness and missions. Will you join us from 6:30-8:30 in prayer and seeking? We will begin this leg of the journey tomorrow night and continue marching on to Pentecost. may Jesus give us Grace for the journey.