When

my parents left on a vacation and put me in charge of the family

farm, they wrote out instructions for me to follow.

After

Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples gathered together and prayed

(Acts 1:14). They also kept in mind all the teachings and

instructions Jesus had given them. It’s clear from the New

Testament gospel accounts, written down some years later, that Jesus’

followers in the early church remembered their identity and mission.

They were disciples of Jesus, and they were to go and make disciples

of Jesus from all nations.

As

the disciples began this next chapter as the people of God, they also

knew they were not alone. They remembered Jesus’ “last words”

telling them that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to

him. They also heard a promise: “I am with you always.” But if

Jesus was in heaven, how could he also be with them—and today with

us?

When

the believers received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), that would help to

answer some of their questions, but they had to continue in faith,

with other questions unanswered. Some even doubted.

Today

we may also have doubts from time to time. That doesn’t mean we are

no longer believers, and it certainly doesn’t mean Jesus isn’t

keeping his promise to be with us always! But in faith, and with his

Spirit living in our hearts, we can follow his instructions and trust

his promises.