“It’s the most wonderful time of the year …”
Christians around the world are beginning to celebrate the days of Advent—the four-week season to commemorate Jesus’ humble arrival in Bethlehem as Immanuel, GOD WITH US. However, as born-again Christians, we each celebrate another Advent—a personal one. The day that GOD-WITH-US became GOD-IN-ME! The day of our new birth experience when the Holy Spirit arrived to live in our hearts. It was our own NEW Advent—and with it, came a special gift.
“Ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you …” (Acts 1:8 KJV)
The purpose of the FIRST Advent was to make way for our NEW Advent. Jesus first had to be born, live, and die as the Lamb of God. He endured the indescribable pain and shame of the cross—providing the blood sacrifice necessary to remit our sins. When He finally accomplished what He set out to do, with his last bit of human strength, He whispered in triumph, “It is finished.”
But not quite. He was not QUITE finished. As He died, He knew He still had something more to do.
For forty days after He brought Himself back to life, He walked and talked with His disciples. He gave them proof upon infallible proof of His deity as the promised Messiah King. He established their faith and taught them about the coming Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
And YET—after all that—Jesus had something MORE to give them: a GIFT. He said, “I must go away, but I will not leave you without comfort! No, I will come TO you Myself and will be IN you.” He added, “Don’t leave Jerusalem! Just wait and see! You’ll receive what I’ve PROMISED … plus MORE!” I can imagine the excitement in the hearts of the disciples as they waited for that day to come—not unlike little children waiting impatiently for Christmas. The day when they knew all their hopes and dreams would be fulfilled.
Of course, that’s exactly what happened. On Pentecost, they received what Jesus had PROMISED … “ye SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38 KJV) THEY did, and we still do today … “for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:39 KJV) The PROMISE is for US … and all who obey His Word.
But here’s the thing: there was something MORE in the promise package than just the Holy Ghost. As if having the Spirit of God living inside us wasn’t enough, there was MORE to the PROMISE … it was the POWER! “You shall receive POWER after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you …”
But, power for what? To do what? What IS the POWER of the GIFT? The word P.O.W.E.R. itself suggests some interesting answers to that question, and we will unpack that gift box next week!
So, you’ll have to wait. Be patient!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, We NEED the GIFT of the Holy Ghost! It’s the #1 thing on our Christmas list! Thank you for giving us Your gift … and for ALL the gifts-within-the-gift that come with it! What a delight to unwrap each one! We’re SO grateful! Amen!
