Loving God, in the midst of uncertainty and fear, you call us to spend time in your presence, expecting the Holy Spirit to go to work. Cast out our fear with your love, that we might be faithful witnesses; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus had appeared to his disciples many times during the past 40 days, convincing them beyond the shadow of a doubt that he had, indeed, been raised from the dead. They had gotten kind of used to having him around – and, after all, who wouldn’t be happy to have their Lord and teacher right there with them? Yet, Jesus had started saying some pretty mysterious things again. He told them, “You remember how John the Baptist baptized with water, right?” They nodded their heads. “Well... not many days from now, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit!” (cf. Acts 1:5). Then he told them not to leave Jerusalem until this baptism had taken place.

I can almost imagine the disciples looking at one another with puzzled looks on their faces. It is entirely likely that they have no idea as to what exactly Jesus means. And so, they ask Jesus about something else: “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). They are still looking for an earthly king who will rule from Jerusalem, and they think that Jesus is the one. However, Jesus, as he so often does, turns the question right around and points it back at them.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

And then he is lifted up and a cloud hides him from their sight.

Can you blame them for standing there staring up at the sky? Only a few moments ago, they had it in their heads that Jesus would ascend the throne in Jerusalem and reign there as king of Israel. Perhaps they would even have places of special honour in this kingdom! However, instead, Jesus has told them once again that the Holy Spirit will come upon them. They will receive power, and they will be witnesses for Jesus – not only in Jerusalem, but in Judea and Samaria and all over the world! They are quite likely still in shock as they stand there staring blankly up at the clouds and ask that great theological question, “What does this mean?”

In some respects, they have every right to be afraid. The first letter of Peter talks about a “fiery ordeal” and “sharing Christ’s sufferings” (1 Pet. 4:12-13) – things which many followers of Jesus experienced. Of course, there is also the expectation that they would be witnesses for Jesus – not only at home, but among foreigners and Gentiles! Isn’t this enough to scare most people?

And so, they stand there, immobilized, until a couple of men in white robes appear and shake them out of their trance. These men, it appears, do not tell the disciples what to do. They simply announce that Jesus will come in the same way as they saw him go into heaven (Acts 1:11). We don’t know if the disciples really understood this, either, but it seems to be enough to get them moving back toward Jerusalem.

And so, there they are – waiting – wondering what on earth it means to be baptized with the Holy Spirit – wondering how on earth they could ever be witnesses for Jesus to the ends of the earth – and wondering when Jesus will come so that they won’t need to be afraid any more. And what do the disciples do as they ask these questions and deal with their fears and wait for the Holy Spirit? – They pray! – All of them. They gather together, and they pray – constantly.

Really – Is there any better thing to do when you face an uncertain future, or when you are afraid, or when you have been given a seemingly impossible task? And haven’t most of us faced exactly the same things?

An uncertain future for the disciples meant not knowing when the Holy Spirit would come or what that would be like. It also meant life without Jesus physically with them and not knowing when he might come like the angels had announced. For us, too, our futures can be uncertain for a variety of reasons. A company that shuts down; a job that is lost; a loved one who is ill; a child who seems to be heading down the wrong path; a marriage that is under duress; the loss of a loved one: All of these things can fill us with uncertainty about our future. Add to that all of the normal uncertainties about what the future might hold, and the future can seem scary indeed! Take it to the Lord in prayer.

As for a seemingly impossible task, the disciples most likely had no idea how they could ever be witnesses for Jesus “to the ends of the earth.” In fact, some of us are probably just as scared when Jesus says to us, “You shall be my witnesses!” Last Saturday at the renewal event in Dauphin, we were divided up into groups and given various assignments. One assignment was for each group to present the entire message of the Bible in 60 seconds or less. Does this seem like an impossible task? – Every single group managed to do it!

How about some other seemingly impossible tasks? You might be asked (horror of horrors!) to pray out loud. You might be in confirmation and get asked to write a speech. You might have to write a sermon. You might be asked to be part of God’s mission to bless and to love the world. You might be asked to share what you believe with a co-worker or a family member or a friend. You might be asked to actually say “hello” to somebody whom you do not know. You might be asked to be a youth leader. You might be asked to teach Sunday school. Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Of course, all of the things that we have just been thinking about can lead to anxiety and fear. And, in the Scriptures, the consistent answer to anxiety and to fear is to pray. Prayer places us in God’s hands and under God’s power. Prayer acknowledges that we can’t do everything by ourselves – we need God’s help! Prayer reminds us of God’s presence and strength. Prayer does so much more good than worrying.

Listen to some of the verses from Scripture that guide us in our praying:

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).

Cast all your anxiety on [God], because he cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear (1 Jn. 4:18).

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Mt. 28:20).

These promises are true whether our lives seem easy or hard. There’s a cartoon on those hot pink youth bulletins for today where one sheep is talking to another. The first sheep says, “Obviously Jesus’ prayer didn’t work. He only asks for two things: glory for himself and safety for the disciples. And then – he gets killed and they get martyred!” The other sheep responds, “But Jesus’ glory is the cross and the church’s mission happens.” The first sheep says in a huff, “Clearly, I need to explicitly define my terms when I pray!” (Agnus Day)

Our lives will not always be easy, and we might even be asked to do seemingly impossible tasks. Still, take it to the Lord in prayer, and you never know what the Holy Spirit might do -- in you and through you! Amen.

Easter 7(A) Acts 1:6-14
May 4, 2008 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church John 17:1-11
Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore

© 2008 Lynne Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved