The future
During the forty days after [Jesus] suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised.” Acts 1:3-4
Dr Luke wrote two books – his Gospel and what is often called ‘The Acts of the Apostles’. The first tells us what happened during Jesus’ earthly ministry and the second describes the story of the birth and growth of the Church. However, before Dr Luke launched into the story of the Church, he wanted his readers to know that there is no doubt about Jesus’ resurrection. He knew that everything hinged on this, so he made a record of the fact that Jesus met with his disciples on a number of occasions and even shared meals with them.
It was clearly a tumultuous time for the disciples. They had experienced the trauma of Jesus’ appalling death, the exuberant joy of his resurrection and were now contemplating what life would be like after Jesus had left them. Jesus fully realised this and wanted his disciples to know that he had made perfect provision for their needs. All
they had to do was wait and, within a few days, they would be baptised with the Holy Spirit. As mysterious as God’s plans were for them, they could look to the future with confidence.
Our situation is not so different from those disciples. We have the blessing of living in the days of the Spirit, but there is still much about the future that is completely unknown to us. The pandemic was a timely reminder of how completely unpredictable life is. We don’t know what might happen here on earth, and many of us have questions about what will happen after we die. However, in common with the disciples, we can face the future with confidence, knowing that God has made perfect provision for us.
QUESTION
What are your thoughts when you contemplate the future?
PRAYER
Thank you, loving Lord, that my future is in your hands. Help me to trust you completely and find peace in your plans. Amen