The Preparation of the Spirit
Lukes Gospel 24:50-53; Acts of the Lord 1:1-3
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
If I had been a disciple, I would not have stayed in Jerusalem, much less at the temple, after the man I had served, loved, and revered as family died. Now Jesus appears again saying that death held no power for him. Look how he is under his own authority here and in Johns Gospel 10:18 rather than the authority of men. He is leading his disciples to Bethany just before he ascends into Heaven. Look at the power of the Father on display here. No one is questioning him. No one is challenging him. God spoke and no one disobeyed. Here is the proof of a true Shepherd according to Johns Gospel 10:27. The disciples heard his voice, they knew him, and they followed him. Notice how Jesus even lifted up his hands and blessed them. Ephesians 4:8 speaks of him leading captivity captive and giving gifts to men when he ascended on high. The gifts were things that pointed to him for they were given by him from part of his character. The greatest gift he gave was that of himself. Thus when God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son in Johns Gospel 3:16, he did not take the gift back. Even after everything the world did to him and he was received back physically, the gift remained. The gifts were given to the disciples at this time to equip them for being his witnesses.
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
The disciples were witnesses of time spent with Jesus. You cannot witness without knowing of whom you speak or without spending time with that person. Jesus spoke to them about the kingdom of God. There is structure in the kingdom of God, there is focus in the kingdom, and there is a timing of the kingdom. Notice that the disciples agenda and time-table aligned with the Fathers at this time; yet, they had not the authority to know the Fathers time-table and seasons of working. Just as Jesus physically presented himself to them so also he gave them his Spirit. Jesus even taught the disciples he chose through the Holy Spirit at this point well before the giving of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Look at the unity of God on display here. No one disobeyed or was frightened that a strange spirit appeared among them. God instructed them now through the Spirit prior to the giving so they would know that it came from him. Notice that the utterance of the Spirit, the speaking of the Spirit, and the understanding of the Spirit is under the Fathers command. You may find that much of the disorder in the church today could be cured by spending time with Jesus.