This week’s reflections are written by Rev. Brian Johnson, one of our Associate Pastors here at St. Matthew’s

Rooted 2019 – Week Fourteen Day One

Today’s reading is Acts 1: 1-11

This week we will embark on exploring Luke’s second writing called Acts.  I love the book of Acts because it shows us the very first movements of the church after Christ’s ascension.  There is much to learn in Acts. Luke starts outs in verses 1 and 2 summarizing his first book. However, you gain the understanding that the message preached by Christ does not end with his ascension.  That he has chosen people to carry out his message through the help of the Holy Spirit. This is important because it guarantees that what Christ taught would continue to be shared through his apostles and future generations.  That means you and me. You see our story begins here too. As we read, Christ stayed with the apostles for forty days teaching them, eating meals with them, and giving many convincing proofs that he was alive. Then he instructs them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit.  Once they receive the Spirit they will have what it takes to be witnesses to the world. Then Jesus ascended into heaven very much like some of the Old Testament prophets. Leaving his apostles standing there looking at the heavens until they could no longer see him. It took two men dressed in white robes (possibly angels) to snap them back to reality.  The men told the apostles, why are you still standing there looking at the sky? Jesus will come back some. Basically saying to the apostles, what are you waiting on? Move! Go! Run! Do Something! It reminds me of the moment when my oldest child played tee ball. The first time he hit the ball, he was so shocked that the only thing he could do was stand at home plate and watch the ball roll out to left field.  It took a few seconds of everyone yelling at him RUN! RUN! RUN! Before he snapped back to reality and ran to first base. Is this where you find yourself today? Are spiritually standing at home plate not moving. Well, this passage reminds us that we have a great helper called the Holy Spirit that is going to help us run to first base. That this Spirit is something promised by God and given to the apostles. It is also given to all of us who believe.  May we seek the Holy Spirit today and allow it to move us to a life that glorifies God.

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