WEEK 23 – DAY 5
POWER TO PRAISE AND PREACH
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnessesG3144 unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:8-9
In His parting words before returning to the Father’s side, Jesus assured the disciples they would be filled with power as the Holy Spirit came upon them. Power to do what? The power of the Holy Spirit would enable them to fulfill their calling to be His witnesses. We read that word and think of people going out and sharing a gospel tract or a memorized message to “win” people to Christ. But the word is much deeper than that. A witness testifies as to what he or she has seen or heard or experienced. They would do that. But the Greek word for witnesses (Strong’s G3144) is the same word used for martyrs. They would receive the strength to boldly proclaim the Gospel and even to be persecuted or martyred. After telling them they would spread His message all over the world, Jesus miraculously rose up into the sky until a cloud hid Him. Remember, the story of the Exodus? God’s presence led the Israelites as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Could it be that as Jesus was enveloped by the cloud, He was being welcomed into His father’s presence?
Father, because we are Your children, we are filled with Your Holy Spirit. Our witnessing, our representing You on earth as Your ambassadors is the direct result of being Your children. Help us to honor You with boldness in all we say and do.