Scripture: Luke 24: Verse 48
Christ ascended to Heaven 40 days after Easter, but before he went away, he opened his disciples understanding that they might understand the Scriptures and to bless them and to empower them with the Holy Spirit.
After the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the disciples had scattered and separated one from the other. They went back to their villages and returned to their old lifestyles; they went back to their old jobs and to do business as usual. They left town because they were afraid of the Jews and they went in hiding from the legal authorities.
They were carnally minded and spiritually weak in the things of God even though they had been with Jesus for three years. They were like babes in Christ. They had little faith in the words Jesus taught them. They were depressed by the events that had taken place in Jerusalem. All their dreams about the establishment of an earthly kingdom with power and influence appeared to have vanished at Calvary.
In the midst of their anguish and misery, they were able to muster some inner strength and assembled themselves together for comfort and support. During their fellowship in Jerusalem Christ appeared in person to open their eyes and understanding of the Word of God.
Before Jesus ascended to Heaven the disciples were endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit. When they received the power from on high, they were transformed into new creatures. They were no longer weaklings, timid and fearful. The Holy Spirit gave them strength to endure hardships, strength to preach the Gospel without fear or persecution, power to work miracles, and healing the sick.
They obtained courage and toughness of mind and spirit to face opposition from their enemies. They received faith to abide by the truths and ordinances of God.
Now that they had received the Holy Spirit, they were willing to die for the preaching of the Word of God.
The disciples became heavenly bound with spiritual matters. They were no longer interested in material things of the world. Ease and comfort were forsaken. They had no desire for honour, wealth or riches. They were prepared, armed and fit to be witnesses to Jesus’ incarnation, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension to Heaven.
They were commissioned to preach Repentance and Remission of sin to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
