The Waiting Begins
Yesterday was Ascension Day (May 29), the day that Jesus returns to heaven in a cloud (Acts 1). This was the culmination of 40 days of Jesus' teaching and being with his followers.
Jesus returns to heaven on the Mount of Olives. I have been to the place on the top of the Mount of Olives where there is a small shrine commemorating Jesus' return to heaven. This place was the last place Jesus' followers saw the physical presence of Jesus but will anticipate seeing him again as the men in white robes stated.
Meanwhile, these disciples of Jesus are going back to Jerusalem to wait on the unseen presence of The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised in John 14-16. These days of waiting for Jesus to fulfill his promise must have been interesting days. They surely were days of anticipation.
Luke tells us some of what was happening while they wait. In Acts 1:14. We are told that these were "devoting themselves to prayer in one accord." What does this suggest?
The notion of one accord suggests that all of these gathered who had been listening to Jesus' teachings were in unity about one thing: the coming of The Holy Spirit. "One accord" suggests unity of heart and intent.
In addition to being in unity about the coming of The Holy Spirit they also were "devoting themselves to prayer." Devoting to prayer is the idea of being persistent and continual about prayer.
What is curious is that these people know Jesus has promised to send The Holy Spirit but at the same time are persistent and devoting themselves to prayer. What would this suggest? Maybe that these people understood the need to were prepare their hearts for the reception of God's Holy Spirit.
REFLECT: Is there any sense in which we need to prepare our hearts as we celebrate Pentecost even though we know Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to us?