PENTECOST

POWER FROM ABOVE – WITHIN

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Read: Acts 2:1–47

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:2 NIV

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Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit and they would be witnesses to the world, beginning at Jerusalem. So they waited until the day of the feast of Pentecost when Jerusalem was filled with God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. (2:5)As the apostles began to speak, the people all said, “How is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?” (2:8)

Peter, who had once fled in fear of the Jews, now stood up in front of the largest crowd of Jews he could possibly imagine, and says, “This man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (2:23-25)

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What a change God’s indwelling Spirit had made in Peter. Lord, this same Holy Spirit lives in us, please give us the courage to witness to our generation and the one to come.

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The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39 NIV

NOT ALONE

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THIS SAME JESUS

Read:  Acts 1:1–11

            He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  Acts 1:3 NKJV

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            After forty days of being with Jesus and rejoicing that He was truly alive, the disciples asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts1:6 NIV) He told them that it was not for them to know the times and dates, “But,“ He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (1:7-8 NIV) Then just as they must have wanted to ask Him many other things, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight!

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            Lord, I can’t imagine how alone they must have felt at that moment. We know now, and they knew in just a few days, that they would not be alone.  Lord, I praise You that You have given us Your Holy Spirit to guide us.  Thank You that though we cannot see Him, He dwells within us and prays for us according to Your will.

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            This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  Acts 1:11b NIV

I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!

Read: John 20:1–18

     They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” John 20:13 NIV

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     Mary Magdalene was one of the devout women who supplied the needs of Jesus and His disciples throughout His ministry. She had been delivered from demon possession as were others who followed Him.     Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus and later she came to the tomb to grieve – instead she had an encounter with angels. Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, so changed that she did not realize that it was He ─ until He said her name,“Mary.”  then she turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (20:16)
 

     Mary Magdalene was forgiven much and she loved much. Her life was dedicated to the ministry and to being a friend to other believers. God chose her to be the first one to see her risen Lord. 
 

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     Thank You Jesus that You came to set people like Mary free from their sin. Help me to show my love for you by serving other believers.

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Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18 NIV

 

MARY MAGDALENE

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA

SECRET DISCIPLES

Read John 19:38-42

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After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. John 19:38 NKJV

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Here are two Jewish men, one of them Nicodemus, a Pharisee and the other Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent wealthy council member; both of them secret disciples of Jesus. On one occasion Nicodemus tried to speak up at a council meeting by saying, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They ridiculed him by saying, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” (John 7:52)

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After the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea gathered up his courage and asked Pilot for Jesus’ body. He and Nicodemus – no longer secret disciples – prepared the body for burial and laid it in Joseph’s new tomb – fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that Messiah would be buried in a rich man’s grave. (Isaiah 53:9)

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Lord, forgive me when I have been reluctant to speak up for You among unbelievers. Give me courage and discernment to know when and where to share my faith.

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And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. John 19:39 NKJV

AT THE CROSS

BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER

Read John 19:17-37

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Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25-26 NKJV

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Years ago, Mary had stood with Joseph before the Priest to dedicate her newborn Son. The old man Simeon had prophesied, “This child is destined to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35) Now she was experiencing the ultimate piercing of her soul, as Jesus hung from the cross in agonizing pain.

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When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 NKJV

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Jesus knew the emotional pain that this moment brought to His mother. God had chosen her of all women to give birth to His Son. But His plans for her were not over. after the resurrection and ascension, her other sons became devout believers. In Acts we read, These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:14 NKJV

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Lord, so often Mary stood in the background watching God’s plan unfold. She is an example I would like to follow when it seems better to be still and wait on You. What honor came to this humble woman as the Son of God saw to her needs in His last hour. I know that You are aware of my needs and the needs of my children. I pray that like Mary’s sons they will follow You.

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One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water… These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled …”They will look on the one they have pierced.” John 19:34-37; Zechariah 12:10

THE ROOSTER CROWED

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PETER DENIES JESUS

Read Mark 14: 66–72

            After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Mark 14:70-71 NIV

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            Just a short time before this, Peter had declared to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33) Peter had stood up valiantly in the garden by starting a sword fight.  But then Jesus healed the soldier’s ear, and submitted himself to arrest. Jesus said to them, “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” (John 18:8–9; quoting John 17:12)

            Jesus knew all about what Peter would do.  He knew that Satan wanted to “sift him like wheat”, but Satan could not defeat Peter, because Jesus had said, “I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.“ (Luke 22:32 NKJV) 

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            Lord, The moment the rooster crowed had to be the darkest day of Peter’s life, but the story told through the years has brought comfort and encouragement to all of us who, like Peter, have experienced failure.

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            …Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.  Mark 14:72 NIV

TAKE A SWORD

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Read:  Luke 22: 35–53

            He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.  Luke 22:36 NIV

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            It has been obvious up to this point that everything the Lord did had a purpose and was part of His Father’s plan.  Just prior to entering the Garden of Gethsemane for prayer, He gave the apostles specific instruction to sell their cloaks and buy a sword.  They must have thought they were preparing to fight for the kingdom.  But Jesus had a plan they never could have guessed.  They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.“  (22:38 NKJV) 

            After a night of prayer in the garden; a contingency of soldiers and religious leaders came to arrest Jesus.  When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them (Peter) struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. (22:49–50) What happened next would show everyone that Jesus laid down his life for us — it wasn’t taken from Him.

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            Lord, I am unable to comprehend the love that motivated You to give Your only begotten Son to make such a sacrifice.  Jesus said, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.   (22:51)

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 “Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?”

(Matthew 26:53 NKJV)