What now? (Easter A7)

Jesus has ascended, he is glorified with his Father, he is returning. What now?

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

This has been a favorite verse for Pentecostal preachers since the beginning. A lot of old time preachers were proud of taking any sermon weather from Genesis or Revelation and ending up at Acts 1:8.

Jesus has ascended (three days ago by the church year). These disciples are now all in the upper room. "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." This is where we find them when they receive the promised power on the day of Pentecost.

The power of God for those still on earth is the theme from the other readings as well.

The psalmist declares God's power as a warrior riding on clouds, his enemies melting like wax before him. "He gives power and strength to his people."

In a world of suffering, Peter commends us to cast our cares on God, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

In Jesus' final prayer he prayed to the point of sweating blood that his Father would protect us so that we may be one as they are one.

Lord God, as we approach Pentecost, protect us, let us know your power, make us one. And may we know the sweet fresh wind of your Spirit in an intimate way over the coming weeks. In the name of the one who prayed before me, Amen.