Acts 2: 1-12 (NIV 84)
Today is Pentecost Sunday, when we remember and celebrate the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon the disciples, forming the divine catalyst for the birthing of the early Christian church.
It was on this occasion also that the disciples of Jesus became the apostles of Jesus, ‘sent ones’ of God charged with the task of proclaiming the gospel message in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and ultimately to the ends of the earth.
The disciples were gathered together in one place when the Spirit of God suddenly appeared, but a question I have been pondering lately is “Why were the disciples there in the first place?” Or more importantly “Why were they still there?”
Prior to his ascension, Jesus appeared to the disciples a number of times. On one of those occasions he instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and “…wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (Acts 1:4).
Jesus asked them to wait for God’s gift of the Holy Spirit in perhaps the most dangerously religiopolitical place possible in light of all that had happened in recent times – Jerusalem.
These were the same disciples who had complained about having no bread, the same disciples who had jostled for prominence in the kingdom of heaven, the same disciples who fell asleep in their master’s deepest hour of need and the very same disciples who fled the scene of the crucifixion for fear of being found guilty by association.
And yet, there they were. On at least two occasions when Jesus appeared to the disciples, the doors of the place where they had gathered were locked for fear of the Jews. In faith the disciples had committed to waiting for that which had been promised; yet there was still a natural element of fear present. For them and ultimately for us as followers of Jesus Christ in the present age, it really was worth the wait!
In life and ministry, sometimes we are asked to be, to do or to go in faith – often with a natural sense of fear and trepidation about what we might encounter along the way – but always with the assurance of God’s Holy Spirit presence and empowerment for the journey.
Life is a Journey 
“Why were they still there?” Could it be for much the same reason that many of us are ‘still here’ even though our walk with Jesus can lead us through some difficult places, the reason being: “Christ’s love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Speaking on this subject last night (it being Pentecost Sunday), we noted that the disciples ‘waited in obedience’ to be clothed with power from on high. Then they were able to ‘witness in power’, and because of the empowering of the Holy Spirit they were also able to live their everyday lives in the fullness of the Spirit, and so are we – when we wait in obedience and pray.
It is not easy to step out in faith, it is more difficult still to wait in faith, but yes- it is worth it. Going places we have never gone before can be very scary! But there’s a verse in Deuteronomy that is helpful in reminding us that we never go alone: “It is the LORD who goes before you; He will march with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8 – Amplified Bible).
When we step out in faith each day, we may not have a clue as to where God will take us; but as we wait and pray, and as we step out with him, just like the disciples, we shall find that it IS worth it!
Food for thought. Thanks!