So here at the beginning of the Book of Acts, the disciples have seen Jesus suffer and die, be resurrected, and then appear to them and to others. Yet the disciples in this passage are focused on what Jesus is going to do next. They have an agenda they want Him to fulfill. He has not yet done enough! “Are you going to depose the Romans and restore Israel to its rightful place in the world?” they ask Him. You could paraphrase these words as, “Can you not do a little more for us?” They knew about His death and resurrection that relieved them of the burden of sin, death, and despair. But really, they say, “Can’t you do a little bit more? Can’t you get rid of Rome? Can’t you restore our self-rule? You left your work unfinished.” It’s as though they are saying, “You should have fixed our political mess for us.” We may have some sympathy with them on this point as we ourselves are living in a time of stress and mess.
Jesus says, “It’s not for you to know the work that God will do in history or when it will happen.” And then He adds, “But power will come upon you, from the Holy Spirit, and you will do wonders powered by the Spirit, you yourselves will do these things, not me.” He tells them, “You are going to be my witnesses and tell my story all over the map, far away from here, all of you.” And he is saying not that He will do it, but that they and the Holy Spirit will do it together. Their response is, “Lord, do this for us,” and He replies, “No, you will do it with the Spirit’s power.”
So the disciples don’t do very much until finally the Holy Spirit does come upon them. And think of all they DO accomplish once they are empowered by the Holy Spirit! From the first chapters of the book of Acts, the disciples are able to preach powerfully as thousands come to faith and are baptized. There is awe and wonder; there are signs and miracles. The disciples share everything they have with each other, spend time together in the Temple and at home, worship and eat together, and have glad and generous hearts. The whole neighborhood says, “I really like the way they live. I want to know more.” That’s a big change, yes? People who pine, “Lord, can’t you do more for us?” become people who are radiant with the Spirit and with good deeds. And what’s the difference? The Holy Spirit makes the difference.
That same Holy Spirit is available to all of us. And it continues to lend us power to do the things that need to be done for God, whether it is moving to a new place, getting a new job, going on a new mission trip, or anything else that falls to us to do for God and for each other. So take good heart for there is power available that will make all the difference for us, the power of the Holy Spirit that is ready to strengthen us for our daily walk.