The Anticipation Of The Spirit

Spring, c. 33 AD

The Anticipation Of The Spirit

As the disciples prepare to travel back toward the region of Jerusalem for the culmination of the forty days, the Master's teachings are focusing heavily on the "Promise of the Father." He has commanded them not to leave Jerusalem once they arrive, but to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which will empower them for global witness.

This promise shifts their perspective from what they can accomplish to what God is about to do through them. The physical departure of Jesus is no longer viewed as an abandonment, but as a necessary step for the arrival of the Helper. The disciples are learning to live in a state of active, expectant waiting.

"And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, 'Which,' He said, 'you heard of from Me...'"
— Acts 1:4

Timeline Box: The command to wait for the Spirit was the final major instruction given before the Ascension.

Divided Kingdom Era, c. 850 BC

An Axe Head Floats In The Jordan

While the sons of the prophets were cutting timber near the Jordan River to expand their living quarters, an iron axe head flew off a handle and sank into the water. Because it was borrowed, the man was distressed. The prophet Elisha cut off a stick and threw it into the water, miraculously causing the heavy iron axe head to float to the surface.

"Then the man of God said, 'Where did it fall?' And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float."
— 2 Kings 6:6

Timeline Box: This unusual miracle demonstrates God's concern even for the seemingly trivial, everyday distresses of His people.

Judges Era, c. 1100 BC

The Birth Of Samuel Dedicated To Yahweh

Hannah, a woman who wept bitterly in the Tabernacle because of her barrenness, has given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of Yahweh." True to the vow she made, as soon as the child is weaned, she will bring him to Shiloh to serve before the Lord for his entire life. He will become Israel's greatest prophet.

"Now it happened in due time that Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I have asked him of Yahweh.'"
— 1 Samuel 1:20

Timeline Box: The birth of Samuel initiated the spiritual revival that would ultimately lead to the monarchy.

Editorial: Waiting On The Promise

Hannah waited through years of bitter weeping for the promise of a son; the disciples are being told to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Spirit. God's timing often requires us to endure periods of agonizing delay.

But when God delivers on His promises, He defies the natural order of things. He makes barren wombs bear prophets; He makes heavy iron float on water; and He empowers uneducated fishermen to speak in the languages of the world. Waiting on the Lord is never a passive waste of time; it is the active preparation for a miracle that will defy gravity.

Join the conversation at the BeliefProfile.com community.

COMMENT & DISCUSS