Waiting – next Sunday Pentecost 50 days from Easter commemorating the day recorded, in Acts 2.
They had seen Jesus resurrected from the dead. They had met people who were raised from the cemeteries on the day Jesus died, seen in Matthew 27:50-53.
They had obeyed the instructions of Jesus. They were waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 1:4-5
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:7-8
They knew the prophecy of Ezekiel 37:1-14 and the image of the valley of dry bones coming to life. The prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the tribe of Judah about their nation of Israel, during the time of King Zedekiah and Israel’s captivity in Babylon. Remember they had brought devastation on themselves by turning away from God. They were being called back into right relationship with God and being given a vision of a future restoration. This included a view of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. They heard about this New Covenant, Heaven, and the glory of God living among them.
Jesus speaks about this new life:
“Everyone who believes, will have eternal life. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:15-17
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” – John 11:25-26
Peter speaks from his perspective (which is directly relevant to us today) in 1 Peter 1:4-9
What should we do about this?
1. Receive Salvation
2. Focus on Jesus
3. Allow Resurrection Life into any Area of Death
4. Speak Life