Read Acts chapter 1 verses 1-11
They still couldn't get it into their thick heads! In spite of all that Jesus had said and done the disciples couldn't get the idea of the Messiah as "the one whose going to boot out the nasty Romans" out of their minds (v6). However Jesus here, as so often in the past, was patient with them; it was only occasionally that exasperation took over! (Mark 8 v 17-21).
This however is not a moment for exasperation. This is a time for parting. Saying goodbye is never easy and it is no surprise that, as Jesus departed, the disciples stood there gazing up longingly into the sky! As the cloud hid Jesus from them so their minds were clouded with doubt as to what to do next. The timely words of the "men dressed in white" were along the lines of; "come on then, don't just stand there gawping".
It was said with good reason! The disciples had been left with two cracking promises. Firstly of the gift of the Holy Spirit (v 8) and secondly of the return of Jesus (v 11). The first promise was only a few days away from fulfilment.
We can identify with the disciples as they struggled to understand the enormity of what Jesus had achieved. Like them, our minds are sometimes clouded with doubt. We sometimes find understanding and living the Christian life a struggle. However we have received the promise of the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean that following Jesus is now "a stroll in the park", but it does mean that we have a "teacher" (John 14 v 26) dwelling within us. Jesus didn't just leave his disciples to it; neither does he leave us to it. Christians are engaged in a lifetime of learning with the best teacher there has ever been abiding within!
To think about
How do I know that the Holy Spirit lives within me? What difference has he made to my life?
How has my understanding of the Christian faith grown over the months/years? What has helped me to understand more?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you came to teach us of your kingdom of love and light. Help us to share your light with others that the world may know of your love.