Thursday 26 May 2022

Psalm 47

Background

 Life must have been quite a roller-coaster for the disciples in the month or so after Jesus' death and resurrection. Their despair had turned to delight on Resurrection Day and Jesus had "presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs" (v. 3) for almost six weeks.

We’re left wondering what exactly those 'convincing proofs' were. Luke ends his Gospel with a shorter version of the Ascension story – a blessing and a vanishing (Luke 24: 50-53). He also wrote Acts and goes into  a bit more detail in today's passage: instruction, ascension and angels.

It must have been confusing. Just as the disciples were getting used to having Jesus around, they’re all gathered together and told he is leaving them behind as witnesses. But witnesses to what? They are still locked into the idea of God somehow re-establishing the glory days of King David and Jesus’ enigmatic reply doesn’t give them the clarity they want. They are told it’s not for them to know God’s timing, they have to wait. And the waiting is for baptism by the Holy Spirit – another thing they don’t understand.

All in all, they are left with a lot of questions as Jesus is taken from their sight. Their puzzlement isn’t helped by the encounter moments later with two angels, who tell them to stop looking for their friend.

The disciples have one command: you will be my witnesses. What were they witnessing to if it wasn’t the restoration of Israel? What were they going to say when asked where Jesus had disappeared to? Who would believe them anyway?

It’s a bit like that for us, I guess. This is the inbetween phase – we’re caught somewhere between Easter and Pentecost and wondering how to tell the story. Perhaps it’s enough to wait; although that's often the hardest thing to do.

To Ponder:

• How good are you at waiting? How does God use us when we wait?
• Do you ever feel as though you’re meant to witness, but can’t quite work out what it means or how to do it?

Prayer

Patient God, bless us with patience and the ability to wait for your right moment. Amen.