Gathering in Christ

Luke 24:49-53

Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry I the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

The reason the disciples had to tarry until the day of Pentecost was not merely that they might be fitted to receive the promise… they had to wait until the LORD was glorified historically, for the Holy Spirit did not descend until the fullness of time was reached and the Son of God was glorified and ascended to the right hand of the Father (see John 15:26; Acts 2:23)… [Now], the Holy Spirit has been given; Jesus has now been glorified; now the waiting depends upon our fitness, not upon God’s providence. The reception of the Holy Spirit in His fullness depends entirely on moral preparation. I must abide in the light which the Holy spirit sheds and be obedient to the word of God; then there be the manifestation of a strong family likeness to Jesus. It is easier to be swayed by emotions than to live a life shot through with the Holy Spirit, a life in which Jesus Christ is glorified. The Holy Spirit is absolutely honest; He indicates the things that are right and the things that are wrong.

Excerpts from Oswald Chambers

Daily Devotional Bible, Reading 129 (5/9)

From The Love of God

This photograph is called Waiting and is the work of Pamela Chandler.