He Lives… and We Wait – May 22, 2023

Read: Acts 1:12-26

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts 1:12-14

He Lives… and We Wait

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Danny and Gabby couldn’t believe their eyes when they opened the box. Inside were two MagicBands for a surprise trip to Disney World. They screamed with excitement and asked their parents, “When are we going?” They would have to wait seven whole days. Grabbing a pen and paper they made a checklist to help them prepare while they waited.

In our reading we get a glimpse of Jesus’ followers… waiting. Forty days before, Jesus rose from the dead. Just days ago, they witnessed him ascending into heaven through the clouds. Before Jesus left, he promised to give his apostles the power of the Holy Spirit. For ten days they eagerly waited until Jesus kept his promise at Pentecost.

There is much we can learn from Jesus’ disciples as they waited. Over 120 of them gathered together. We can assume they talked about the seriousness of sin and how Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead to save them from their sins. They knew this was true because they saw it with their own eyes. Not only did they talk with one another, they talked to Jesus through their prayers. During their time together a new apostle, Matthias, was selected help bring the good news of Jesus to many people.

But the promise of the Holy Spirit wasn’t the only one made on the day Jesus ascended to heaven. Two angels told the disciples that one day Jesus would return to earth. When Jesus comes back, he will take all believers to live with him forever in heaven. Two thousand years later we are still waiting for that special day to come.

What should we do while we wait? Like the disciples, we can gather at church to hear and learn God’s Word—both the law, which shows us our sin, and the gospel, which shows us our Savior. We can pray to Jesus at home by ourselves or with our family. Then we can share the good news of Jesus with others.

How excited Danny and Gabby must have been for their trip to Disney Word, what many people call the greatest place on earth. How much better for us that because of Jesus, through faith, we will one day live in heaven which is the most wonderful place for eternity!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you always keep your promises. As we wait for you to return, help us to be active in worship, studying your Word, and telling others about you. In your name we pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Does Jesus always keep his promises?
• Where does Jesus promise we will live with him one day?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Share something you have been waiting for so much that it’s hard to wait.
• Waiting for Jesus to return is exciting. Give at least one way you can spend your time as you wait for Jesus to return.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How do you think the disciples felt as they watched Jesus ascend into heaven?
• Name a couple of the blessings of being a part of a church family on earth.