“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised…” (Acts 1:4)
Our minds are sometimes dominated by news or thoughts of a promised gift that is coming our way. Maybe it’s a 16th birthday first car, or an upcoming trip, or a surprise that is known only by the label “surprise”, because that’s what the giver has called it. The anticipation is great. For the unknown surprise, particularly we ask, what will it be and when will it come?
The Father promised a gift that Jesus had plainly told his disciples about. And it’s important to note the continuity: Jesus was not announcing to a new crowd about the promise, and thus having to start from scratch and explain it over again. This was the same group of disciples—minus one—to whom Jesus had said that the Holy Spirit was coming. Recorded in John 15:26 is a glimpse of this gift: “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of Truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” This is another way of saying what is found in John 14:14, “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” (It’s not surprising that key truths are repeated multiple times—let’s make sure you get this!) A few words later, he shared that his purpose in telling them this was so that “you won’t abandon your faith” (John 16:1).
Previously, in what we generally call Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit came upon and visited people and empowered them for a specific purpose and at a specific time. There are many examples of the Holy Spirit coming upon people to provide them with the power and strength they needed at specific times. Just citing one example is the Spirit coming upon Moses in his leadership capacity, as described in Numbers 11:25.
But now, the promised gift sets up the people of God for a completely new demonstration of His presence: this Advocate, or Comforter, as some English translations term Him, will come and stay with them. Not just on special occasions when needed, but constantly. God the Holy Spirit will always be with God’s people.
Here’s the picture: Jesus is leaving. Though he was resurrected, and alive and walking around and showing up for meals and fellowship for 40 days, that wasn’t a permanent arrangement. It was an opportunity to demonstrate yet again the power of His Father to raise the dead and move forward God’s agenda. But when he departs the earth for good—and that’s going to happen, He will ascend—that’s not the end of God’s presence among His people. He is multiplying His presence infinite times over by sending his promised gift.
The Holy Spirit is coming among God’s people. And when God promises that this gift will be delivered, it will be delivered.
“Father, thank you for fulfilling your promise of sending the Holy Spirit upon and among the people of God!”
Freddy Boswell 