From Son to Savior
“Nothing that happens in the life of a believer is in vain but without Christ, we can find no purpose or meaning in our suffering.”
Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-4 (ESV)
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Reflection
What scenes in history would you like to be a “fly on the wall” to observe? I can think of a few, but this upper room gathering was on the brink of experiencing a world-changing event promised to them by the Savior who kept every promise He made. Imagine hearing the unrestrained prayers of anticipation that filled the room! The Holy Spirit would soon arrive, and His disciples would finally understand what Jesus meant when He said this gift is even better than having Him there in the flesh. But none of the disciples gave birth to Jesus…Mary did, and her prayers of anticipation must have been comingled with anguish.
In Luke 1:28, the angel Gabriel declares to Mary that she is blessed and highly favored. From her vantage point, the path that transformed Jesus from Son to Savior would challenge the most devout among us to rethink what it means to be “blessed and highly favored” by God. What could be better than having her son there in the flesh?
When the Holy Spirit came and filled their hearts at Pentecost, people from all over came to see what was going on. And then Peter addressed the group. Scripture says 3,000 lives were surrendered to Christ that day as Mary looked on. She must have found comfort in knowing that Jesus’ suffering was not in vain. Nothing that happens in the life of a believer is in vain but without Christ, we can find no purpose or meaning in our suffering.
Action Step
Think about the trials you are currently going through. Can others see in you the peace of God that surpasses understanding?
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for placing a call on my life and walking me peacefully through every heartache. Continue using me to bring glory to Your Name. Amen!
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Reflection
What scenes in history would you like to be a “fly on the wall” to observe? I can think of a few, but this upper room gathering was on the brink of experiencing a world-changing event promised to them by the Savior who kept every promise He made. Imagine hearing the unrestrained prayers of anticipation that filled the room! The Holy Spirit would soon arrive, and His disciples would finally understand what Jesus meant when He said this gift is even better than having Him there in the flesh. But none of the disciples gave birth to Jesus…Mary did, and her prayers of anticipation must have been comingled with anguish.
In Luke 1:28, the angel Gabriel declares to Mary that she is blessed and highly favored. From her vantage point, the path that transformed Jesus from Son to Savior would challenge the most devout among us to rethink what it means to be “blessed and highly favored” by God. What could be better than having her son there in the flesh?
When the Holy Spirit came and filled their hearts at Pentecost, people from all over came to see what was going on. And then Peter addressed the group. Scripture says 3,000 lives were surrendered to Christ that day as Mary looked on. She must have found comfort in knowing that Jesus’ suffering was not in vain. Nothing that happens in the life of a believer is in vain but without Christ, we can find no purpose or meaning in our suffering.
Action Step
Think about the trials you are currently going through. Can others see in you the peace of God that surpasses understanding?
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for placing a call on my life and walking me peacefully through every heartache. Continue using me to bring glory to Your Name. Amen!
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