Adventurous Living - The Meadow Springs Community Church Podcast

Jesus had promised his disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit to empower them to be witnesses to all the earth. Get ready, because it's happening! The event known as Pentecost marks the arrival of the Holy Spirit, where God's presence is intimately experienced by believers and empowers them to fulfill the Great Commission. And wow, what a sight it would've been!

Jesus' apostles could have only had questions… nothing was clear and they were patiently waiting. But waiting for what? They were waiting for Jesus, risen and alive, to make things right and restore His kingdom. How long would they have to wait? What would waiting look like? Very likely, none of them could have even imagined.

It's hard to let go of our kids. As they get older, they step forward… and away. They assume more responsibility and more autonomy. As parents, we know this has been our most important job - to take these precious gifts from the LORD, and point them in every way we can to Jesus and to a deep and abiding trust in Him.

Moms… we experience all the feels. Love, appreciation, pride… and the accompanying sadness that comes with letting go.

Imagine being so invested in one thing that it's all you can do... all you can think about. You ate it, drank it... lived it. Luke is describing this very thing - a "fellowship of believers" - whose only pleasure was to "praise God and enjoy the favor of all the people" (vs. 47a).

Peter nails it, doesn't he? After reminding people of Jesus' ministry - his life, death and resurrection - he tells them how they should move forward. "Repent and be baptized, every one of you… and you will receive the Holy Spirit." He assured them, for their children and generations beyond, that they would have the same access to Jesus' saving grace that Peter himself saw first hand. They began living a new kind of life together - one filled with a different kind of joy. How could they not?

It's as if it were too good to be true... "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (vs.1-3) Then those women were asked, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" (vs.5b-6a)

This week is a big one... we refer to it as Holy Week but that is definitely a term applied in hindsight. Luke, in his gospel, outlines these days from Jesus' triumphal entry through the gates into Jerusalem to his betrayal, arrest and brutal death. But Sunday is coming! What appeared to bury their hope that Jesus was who He said He was became the greatest victory in the history of the world. We know the end of the story… but the tension is still present. How will you focus your thoughts during this Holy Week?

Having experienced a pivotal point in his ministry and with his disciples, Jesus continues to color outside the lines of tradition. But while He incurs the disdain from the political and spiritual leaders, Jesus is reaching people with God's truth and the reality of eternal separation from Him if they do not repent and believe… hanging out together is not enough. Jesus is keenly aware of those who would revel in His death, but the path set out for him will not be altered.

Something is happening in the hills surrounding the villages where Jesus performed so many miracles. His followers had recently witnessed an unmistakeable turning point in Jesus' ministry and now this... can they understand or explain something so incredible? What does it mean for the future as they continue to follow Jesus?

Jesus continues throughout the countryside and into villages performing miracles, healing and speaking in wonderful parables to large crowds who gathered to listen. His 12 apostles have been called to his side now, and by Jesus' power and authority, they will also proclaim God's kingdom and heal those afflicted by evil. Jesus is "doing" the ministry we are used to hearing about… but what about the faith of the people? Do we today, believe or do we doubt? Can doubt be a positive part of affirming our personal faith in Jesus? Luke certainly thinks so…