Acts 1:12-14 – “Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”
“Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying.” At the time Jesus ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50) He told the Apostles to return to Jerusalem. They did just that. They obeyed the Lord.
A Sabbath day’s walk is the allowable distance that a Jew was allowed to walk on a Sabbath day. That distance varies a little, usually from about three quarters of a mile to about one and three quarters of a mile. We must remember that the goal of the Sabbath was to spend time relaxing in the blessings of God and considering who He is and what He wants from His people. They were to rest, not work. Though Christians do not have a set “Sabbath” day to worship on, remember that the principle is still there. Jesus Himself said that He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-18) and keeping the Sabbath was one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8) The Sabbath day is a day of rest, a day to consider God and His Word to us. We are to remember that He Himself rested and so are we told to do.
We notice the difference between the defeated disciples who fled and denied Jesus as He was being unfairly tried, tortured and murdered and who they were after Jesus was resurrected. They had scattered as they had ran to hide, just as was prophesied (Zechariah 13:7). Now, after seeing the resurrected Jesus, they have gained peace and confidence and were not now focusing on the fears that had previously overtaken them (Luke 24:37-39). They were again confident in the Lord and obedient to His instruction to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit to ascend upon them (Luke 24:49). Jesus told them that they would be “endued” or “clothed” by power on high, and that is by the Holy Spirit. He does not tell them that the Holy Spirit will enter them and then they will receive the power. As we have seen that the Holy Spirit had previously entered them as told in John 20:22. No the word translated here as endued or clothed means that they will be covered with, that they will wear the empowering as clothes of power from on high. The Holy Spirit will lay a mantle of power on them. He will lay on them the power to accomplish the mission of Jesus to reach the world. They are gifts of the Holy Spirit to be used as He enables and directs for the purpose of glorifying Jesus. Though the disciples, after the death of Jesus, had been dejected, weak and confused, after the resurrection they were convinced beyond doubt that Jesus is the Messiah and then they were again obedient to Him (those who love God obey Him – John 15:14). They did as Jesus said, they waited for what Jesus had promised. They waited to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The room that they were staying and praying at is thought by some to be the same room that they had communion with Jesus before His unjust trial, torture and death.
The disciples, who no longer doubted, were waiting on God and as we shall see they received the power of God that was given to them to do the will of God. How about us? Do we start every day by seeking strength and direction from God for the day before us (Isaiah 40:31)? Family, we must start every day with the Lord. It is only as we wait on the Lord, in full expectation of receiving, are we empowered to do all the works that He has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Let us not cheat ourselves of the rich reward of satisfaction that comes from witnessing the power of God moving through us throughout the day, every day. What a wonder to watch God work! If we believe in God, let us call to God and yield to Him every day. Family, really, we truly don’t know what is best. Truly, Father knows best! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.