Have you ever heard the saying, “hurry up and wait?” I have found it to be true in my walk of faith with Jesus. The other night the Lord began to talk to me about waiting after you’ve been called. I thought of how Jesus commissioned the disciples to go into all the world, yet in the same breath told them to stay in the city until they were clothed with power from on high.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:19.
“You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” Luke 24:48-49.
After Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected, he spent 40 days among the disciples continuing to teach them, but after He ascended into heaven, the disciples were to wait for the gift the Father promised… “On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” Acts 1:4-5.
So the disciples had been commissioned to go, yet Jesus told them to wait. It’s as if He pushes the pause button. Have you ever felt like God has pushed the pause button on your life? When you’re told to go, but yet you’re to stay… seems to send a mixed message. Notice Jesus said… in a few days you’ll be baptized with the Holy Spirit. He didn’t say how many days, what they should do while they waited or what time of day this gift was coming. We are able to read the Word and see that it was ten days later, but the disciples did not have that information.
Do you ever wonder what they discussed after Jesus was taken up in the clouds? What we do know is that they began to worship him ~ yes worship. I do believe this is the first time we see the disciples worship Jesus and after that they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Luke 24:53 says they “stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
I believe much can be learned from their example. They knew first-hand how true Jesus was to his word. They spent days and nights with Him for three years. So, they never had a doubt that He would keep his word to them. Do we know him that well?
And, Jesus actually opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45) right before he left them because they would reflect the rest of their lives upon what He told them.
What they didn’t know was that the gift of the Holy Spirit, which was soon to come to them would remind and reveal all that they had learned from Jesus. They must have been on fire with anticipation before they were filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
When God shows you something that is to come.. it’s easy to become like a child waiting for Christmas. I remember my children when they were little would ask…. “How many days mom till Christmas?” I believe the Lord wants us to be filled with anticipation of not only the most important date on a calendar which is His return to receive us, but also for the divine appointments along our journey towards him.
So, if you’re in a “pregnant pause” as some say… just know, you can’t carry that baby forever. The pause will end and the new shall come forth in my life and in yours. But, while we are in the “pause” mode, let’s worship Him and carry joy in our hearts for that day when we shall experience the commission the Lord has placed upon us.
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