And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:49 (ESV)
The gospels do not generally paint a very complementary picture of the twelve disciples Jesus chose as his apostles. This is especially true of the events surrounding his crucifixion and resurrection. Despite the many times Jesus told them he would be put to death and then rise, they did not believe him. And when he did rise, they still struggled to accept it.
What changed them from doubters to the bold and fearless apostles we see in the book of Acts? That Jesus demonstrated to them he had indeed conquered death contributed to that. However, the fulfillment of this passage, found in the second chapter of Acts, is the primary reason.
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-4 tells us that at Pentecost, they were all together, waiting for Jesus to send them the promise of his Father. In John’s gospel, this promise is described as the Holy Spirit. But what would that be like? Did they have any idea what was coming? I suspect not.
Jesus told them here that they would be clothed with power from on high. In Acts, we are told that they were filled with the Spirit. These are two different ways of describing the same event. The power and boldness they had seen in Jesus was now in each of them. And clothed with power from above, the promised Holy Spirit, they were able to turn the world upside down.
My Pentecost moment came over 50 years ago as a young man with no interest in continuing in the traditions of my parents. It came quietly and with little fanfare. I accepted Jesus as my Lord, the Holy Spirit came into my life, and the course of my life was drastically altered.
The Holy Spirit may come upon you in dramatic fashion, as in the second chapter of Acts. Or, more likely, in a quiet fashion like he did for me. But the promise of the Father is given to all who come to faith in Jesus as Lord, clothing us with power from on high. When we trust in the Spirit, just like Jesus’ first followers, we will be able to accomplish whatever God calls on us to do.
