March 31
“Tarry ye … until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
“Go ye … and preach the Gospel” (Mark 16:15).
The eighth visit of our Lord Jesus to Bethany is recorded in Luke 24:50. The Lord ascended
into heaven from Bethany (v. 51). In Acts 1 we are given details of what happened before
the Lord ascended (v. 4). He commanded His disciples that they had to wait first for God’s
time, to be “endued with power from high”. If they wanted to be His disciples, they had to
wait for His time. Often we go ahead or behind God’s time, but we should always wait for
God’s command and God’s time.
Secondly, we must be governed by the Holy Spirit completely (Acts 1:5), and led only by the
Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).
Thirdly, the disciples were not to dictate to God or to interfere with His plans (Acts 1:7). We
must get God to take charge of the whole situation. He is sovereign. He won’t allow anybody
to interfere with His plans. As we obey Him, we come into His plan.
The disciples became witnesses of His ascension (v. 10). While they were gazing up into
heaven, two men came and said to them: “Why are you standing gazing up into heaven? Go
back and tell people what you have heard. You tell them how you have seen the Lord go into
heaven and also how He shall come again in like manner as you have seen Him go into
heaven.” That is the last message: “In the same manner He will come again”.