Because of the time of year, there would have been devout Jews from all of the world gathered in Jerusalem. They had come from all over the place, with Luke’s description in verses 9 to 11 covering a broad sweep of tens of thousands of square kilometres. The people gathered would have collectively represented a diverse set of languages and dialects. But then something amazing happens! As they’ve gathered together for the purpose of the festival, they overhear locals (i.e., v.7 “aren’t all who are speaking Galileans?”) speaking in their own languages. It would have been an utterly perplexing cacophony of sound! If you’ve ever visited a country that speaks a language different to your own and then unexpectedly heard your native language spoken, then you know how amazing (sometimes even jarring) it is to hear your own language and/or accent spoken. But this isn’t just the sound of one voice, but a multitude of languages being spoken simultaneously. It would have been absolutely perplexing! What on earth was happening?

Well, whilst a few people had some misguided theories (more on that tomorrow), the first clue is in the content of the message being spoken. What are people hearing declared in their own languages? The wonders of God! Just as the disciples had been commissioned to be witnesses about Jesus, they are now being equipped to do it by God himself. In this phenomenal sign, we are being shown that not only has the great day of God’s outpouring of his Spirit arrived, but that the fulfilment of his promise to extend his kingdom through Israel has begun. Today God is still at work in the power of his Holy Spirit so that we may declare the Gospel to the ends of the world. That doesn’t necessarily mean we are given a miraculous language, but it does mean that the message on our lips and hearts is the same one, according to the same power. AL

1. What most stands out for you in this remarkable scene?

2. Why was this day so significant with regard to the global relevance of God’s Good News?

Loving God, we thank you that your Good News is for the entire world! Please help us to work with your Spirit that we may declare your wonders. Amen.


It would have been quite the day! As the fiftieth day after Passover, Pentecost was the celebration of the harvest but was also recognised as the day that Moses received the Law at Sinai after their escape from Egypt. But this Pentecost would be different! This is the day that had not only been prophesied long ago but also the day that Jesus had promised. As we read this account, it’s not entirely apparent if the Holy Spirit first comes to the Apostles gathered andthen to a larger group. But what is clear, is that whilst they were celebrating the first crops of their season, today they were celebrating the first fruits of a whole new age in which God was pouring out his Spirit. And what an arrival! We note that the Holy Spirit’s arrival is audible (“sound like the blowing of a violent wind”) and visible (“they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire”). People also witnessed the transforming effect of the Holy Spirit as people spoke in other tongues. If you think that this all sounds ‘out of this world’, then you would be correct! The Holy Spirit comes from God (i.e., from heaven, they speak as the Spirit enabled them) and as God pleases. It would have been amazing! But what is also remarkable, is that God has chosen to pour out his Spirit on all who believe. That includes every single person who has put their trust in Jesus.

Sometimes people can feel that their experience of the Holy Spirit is inadequate to that described. But what is important to understand is that this is not prescriptive (it doesn’t dictate every person’s experience). The Holy Spirit can arrive in a believer’s life quietly or with great gusto - that’s entirely up to God! What is more important is that we can be assured of this gift, that God loves to give it (cf. Luke 11:13), and that the Spirit equips us for God’s mission. How amazing that we too are recipients of this great promise from God! AL

1. How have you witnessed the work of the Holy Spirit at work in you?

2. How does the Spirit nudge (or compel!) you into mission?

Almighty God, thank you that you are the God who keeps his promises even at great cost to yourself. We thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Please refresh us and shape us according to your will. Please help us not to quench this gift, but bring our lives into line with the work of your Spirit alive in us. Amen.


In the things that we talk about, the way that we live, and the priorities that we set, our lives probably witness to all sorts of things. But what every disciple should be focused on, is sharing the saving news about Jesus that we too have witnessed. That witnessing takes many forms, but is the task of every follower of Jesus. In speaking with the disciples before his ascension, Jesus has once again been tasking them for the work of being witnesses about him. But if they still didn’t get it, they’re about to receive a big reminder!

As Jesus ascends before them, they’re transfixed and can’t take their eyes off the sky. They’re wondering what will happen next! Don’t they know? Can’t they remember what Jesus has just commissioned them to do? No worries, for two ‘men dressed in white’ (presumably angels) are about to give them a strong reminder, saying, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?”. The disciples are being reminded that Jesus will come back, but they’re not to set up camp and just start watching the sky for that day. No way! They’ve got to go out and tell the world of all that they have witnessed so that when Jesus returns, that many more will be ready to welcome him as their Lord. Sometimes we can live with a great anticipation of Jesus’ return - which is a really good thing! However, the point of that anticipation is not to distract us from the desperate need of the world around us to hear the Good News, but instead to be compelled outwardly to share everything that we too have witnessed. Every day, each of us has a unique opportunity to witness on our ‘frontlines’. What a privilege it is to know Jesus. What a joy it is to know his saving work in his death and resurrection. How exciting it is to know that Jesus will return and set things right. May that lead us to action, not distraction! AL

1. How should anticipating Jesus’ return lead us into action rather than inaction?

2. If you knew Jesus was returning tomorrow, who would you urgently want to know the Good News today?

Gracious God, we thank you that you will return to set things right. Please help us to have a sense of urgency in sharing the Good News, that we might be active witnesses of all that we know and have experienced about Jesus. Amen.

As we begin Acts, we take a small step back from where we left off yesterday. Luke finished with the account of Jesus’ ascension, yet here in Acts (the sequel to Luke) we read about it once more! This isn’t because the ascension happened twice, but because Luke uses it as the connecting ‘hinge’ between volumes one (i.e., Luke) and two (i.e., Acts). As Acts tells the story of the first followers of Jesus taking the Gospel to the world, we’re reminded here that this is not only in light of Jesus’ death and resurrection, but because he has ascended and is coming back again. But not only that. They are also compelled to take the Gospel to the world because the risen Jesus has commissioned them for this task and promised that they will be equipped to do it. This is exciting news for the disciples, and so they ask when will the kingdom be restored to Israel? Jesus reminds them that the time or date isn’t really their business, and instead they should concern themselves with simply being witnesses! Witnesses of what? That Jesus is the crucified and risen Lord. 

Whilst the disciples had not yet received the gift of the Holy Spirit, that doesn’t mean that there are two ‘categories’ of Christians - those with, and those without - today. Every Christian today can be confident that if they have accepted Jesus as your Lord, that they have also received the gift of the Spirit. How do we know that? Because that is exactly what we’re promised after Pentecost. Pentecost (the day which the disciples were awaiting) was the first coming of the Holy Spirit, but after that, as the repentance of sins was preached, so too was the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2:38). That means, that if you have turned to Jesus, then you have already received the gift that Jesus promised! What is left is for us to trust in the power of that gift more. AL

1. The disciples weren’t yet filled with the Holy Spirit. Since Pentecost, how can we be confident that every single Christian has received the Holy Spirit?

2. What does your life witness to? How might it witness Jesus more?

Dear Father, thank you that you have given us the gift of your Spirit in order that we might know you and be equipped for your mission. Please help us to not be passive, but revel in the great privilege to take your news to the world. Amen.

As mentioned on Monday, it’s important to note that the ascension of Jesus was seen as so critical by Luke, that he both ends his Gospel and commences Acts, with accounts of this universe-changing event. We can sometimes be quick to skip over Jesus’ ascension, but it’s critical for numerous reasons. 

First, if Jesus didn’t ascend, that would mean that he must have never risen from the dead, or simply died again at some point (presuming that he could not still be living on earth, as we would have heard about it!). If true, that would mean that Jesus could not have truly defeated sin and death. It would also mean that we do not worship a living Lord. Praise God that we can rely on the account of Jesus’ ascension and that it means that he is alive, that we can be in relationship with him today, and that he has indeed defeated sin and death!

Second, Jesus’ ascension points to the sufficiency of his death and resurrection because he is now seated at the right-hand of the Father (see Ephesians 1:20-23)! Whilst Jesus had been ‘exalted’ to the cross, this exaltation affirms his identity as God’s Son, and points to his ultimate authority as Lord. It is Jesus who has been entrusted with the ultimate Lordship over the world, and it is Jesus who will return to judge the world and bring new creation to completion.

Finally, as we will explore more on Saturday, it means that as we await Jesus’ return, we all have a role in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to the world. We are not simply to ‘pass the time’, but actively share and show the Good News of Jesus in anticipation of that glorious day when Jesus will return from the place to which he ascended (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). AL

1. Could you articulate to someone else why the ascension of Jesus matters?

2. As a follower of Jesus, does your everyday life look any different because you are living in anticipation of Jesus’ return? How could it look different?

Gracious Father, thank you for the glorious news that Jesus ascended and is seated at your right hand. Thank you that Jesus will indeed come again to judge the world and that all who trust in him can have great confidence. Please help us to live lives shaped in great anticipation of this day. Amen.

You will never truly understand who Jesus is unless you grapple with the reality of his - tangible and physical - resurrection. As the disciples heard the news that others had witnessed the risen Jesus, they must have been filled with all sorts of feelings and thoughts. But before they could process any of that, indeed whilst they were still talking about the report received, Jesus appears right in their midst! Yet when Jesus appears, they’re troubled and afraid. Why? Because they think that they’ve seen a ghost. Clearly they recognise who this is, but once again we see that the expectation of Jesus’ resurrection is so far from their reality, that they can’t reconcile their eyes with their hearts and minds! With the evidence of his hands and feet presented, their fear is transformed into joy and amazement, but they still can’t believe what they’re seeing. This joyous reality seems so impossible that they just can’t believe it. So what does Jesus do? Eat some broiled fish and explain how this has always been part of God’s plan! 

Jesus not only points to the way in which his death and resurrection have always been part of God’s plan to rescue us, but also how a new chapter of preaching this Good News has begun. Indeed, the importance of the news of forgiveness, and the need for repentance is so great, that it should now go out to all nations beginning that day (“beginning at Jerusalem”). Part of the entire movement in Luke is that the news of Jesus goes from Galilee to Jerusalem. But as Acts continues the story, the trajectory of the Good News is from Jerusalem to Rome (metaphorically seen as ‘the ends of the world’, as Rome was the place from which all roads lead to/from). The disciples, having gone from fear to joy, now must be filled with trepidation! But they are to have no fear, for Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to equip them for such a task. AL

1. In what way are we also tasked to take the Good News to the world?

2. What are the places in which you can proclaim Jesus?

Dear God, thank you for the Good News that has reached even my ears and heart. Please help me, in the power of your Spirit, to not be filled with fear, but with boldness and joy to take this Good News further into the world. Amen.

If there was one conversation that I would have loved to witness, this is one of them! It is an amazing account that captures some of the very first thoughts and reflections of Jesus’ followers as the news of his resurrection is just starting to break in. You can imagine, that in light of the reports from the women who witnessed the empty tomb and the risen Lord Jesus, that the others would have been filled with excitement, confusion, and plenty of questions. Contrary to conspiracy theories regarding Jesus’ resurrection (e.g., that it was made up later on, or a hoax concocted by the disciples), this account is evidence of the resurrection, not least because of how it highlights that no one was really expecting it. They don’t recognise Jesus, partly because they were “kept from recognising him” (cf. v.17), but also because the idea of seeing Jesus again seemed impossible. They had witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion - they knew that he had really died. Yet, as they try to make sense of this, they can’t help but tell their companion along the road. They’re actually shocked that he hadn’t already heard about all of things that had happened! Such was the gravity of the news!

But as they share the news with their mystery companion, Jesus shocks them by not only rebuking them (cf. v.25) but by unpacking their Scriptures (i.e., ’Moses and all the Prophets’) to demonstrate how it all points to him. But what Luke wants us to notice is what happens when they do realise that this is Jesus. As Jesus stays for a meal and breaks bread, all of a sudden, perhaps in the greatest lightbulb moment of their lives, they realise that this is Jesus! They probably not only recall the Last Supper, but can now see how it all fits together. Their response? To go and tell the others that this is true! The Lord has risen! AL

1. Did you have a ‘lightbulb moment’ with regard to understanding who Jesus is? Try sharing that with a friend (who doesn’t yet follow Jesus) this week?

2. What most motivates you to share the news that Jesus is risen?

Dear God, thank you for the truth of the claim that Jesus is risen! Thank you for the way in which your Word shows us not only why his death was necessary, but also how it was always part of your salvation plan. Please help us to see Jesus for who he really is, and then tell someone how that happened for us. Amen.

It might be surprising to commence our Acts study with Luke, but we do so with two important things in mind. First, Luke and the book of Acts are two volumes written by the same author. Whilst the Gospel According to Luke is the account of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the book of Acts demonstrates the effect of Jesus’ resurrection in the life of the early church. Acts continues on from Luke, with the ascension of Jesus acting as a ‘hinge’, bridging the two volumes (nb. the ascension is recorded at the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts). Why does Luke end his gospel and commence Acts with the ascension? Because, the fact that Jesus died, rose, and ascended changes everything! The second reason we commence with Luke, is to be reminded that what we read in Acts is shaped by the reality that Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return. This news, in the power of the Holy Spirit, is what compelled and propelled the early church to take the Gospel to the world! What an important story to be recorded and told, as we also - some 2000 years later - seek to follow the living Lord Jesus and take the Gospel to the world.

As you read the resurrection account, we’re reminded that this Good News was not only transforming of the very first followers, but is actually transforming for all who trust in the Lord Jesus today. Why? Because it shows us that Jesus has not only paid the price for our sins in his death, but that he has also triumphantly declared victory over sin and death! Both sin and death have been defeated and will be destroyed. That’s GOOD NEWS that shaped the lives of the first followers of Jesus. That’s GOOD NEWS that the first followers couldn’t keep to themselves. That’s GOOD NEWS that should compel us to do the same! AL

1. Why, as per verse 7, was it necessary for Jesus to both die and rise again?

2. How might acknowledging the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection more, shape how you live in preparation for celebrating Easter this year?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Good News recorded in both Luke and Acts. Thank you that we can have confidence in this account. Thank you that the first followers of Jesus were utterly transformed by this reality. Please help us to also live transformed lives for you too. Amen.