Written by Efe Abbe
The Word
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.5 John baptized with[Or in] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:1-5 NLT
Reflection
What is profound about the Lord Jesus is that He was intentionally selective in who He revealed Himself to after His resurrection. The crowds that had followed Him before His crucifixion were now dispersed, those who remained were His few chosen and committed apostles. In His post-resurrection appearances, Jesus appeared to these disciples proving that He was alive in very ordinary places, without fanfare. He appeared to two on a trip (Luke 24:13-25), to Mary Magdalene in the garden outside the tomb (John 20:11-17), and twice to some who were afraid and hiding in a locked room (John 20:19-23, 26-27). In His appearances, He did ordinary things like eat meals with them (v. 4, Luke 24:30, John 21:1-14). So, it is no coincidence that it was during one such moment of relaxed intimacy – during a meal – that He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem for the Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).
Application
We who believe the testimony of those eye witnesses and have trusted in Jesus are inheritors of the same promise and commission as they received. However, we will be blessed to tune our hearts to the ways the Lord keeps showing up to be with us in the ordinariness of our lives. The Lord knows that our souls’ truest deepest longing can only be satisfied when we are with Him. So before we set out to engage our world, let us do this one good thing for ourselves – let us learn to be with Jesus in the small ordinary ways.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to me in the ordinariness of this life You have given me. Please help me to be mindful enough to pay attention to You, to listen, and to obey, amen.
City Life Starter 
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