No Need For Loneliness

Key Scripture: Acts 1:6-11

When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?"

"The Father sets those dates," he replied, "and they are not for you to know. But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

It was not long after he said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud. As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!"

Reflection

"Don't go! Oh please don't go!" I'm sure the disciples were thinking it, if not saying it. What would they do without their leader, their friend, their guide? But in God's plan it was time for Jesus to leave the earth. By his life and with his death, he would accomplish everything God had sent him to do. He was not going to leave the disciples alone, however. In his grace God was going to send his Holy Spirit to give them power and strength to carry on Jesus' message.

How incredible to think that God would send his Spirit to live inside his disciples—and inside us! Once the Holy Spirit came, the disciples would no longer need to feel afraid, lonely, or confused. We no longer need to feel afraid, lonely, or confused either. As Christ's followers we, too, have received his Spirit, who lives and dwells in us. We are never alone. What a wonderful assurance! As we tend to our children, we are not alone. As we do our laundry, he is with us. When we shop for groceries, he is right there. Let's recognize and enjoy his presence in our lives.