7th Sunday Of Easter, Year A. Series

Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, Psalm 68:32-35, 1 Peter 4:12-14, 1 Peter 5:6-11, John 17:1-11.

A). A CHURCH AT PRAYER.

Acts 1:6-14.

The eleven surviving Apostles had just been told that they would be ‘baptised with the Holy Ghost not many days from now’ (Acts 1:5). Now they were asking the risen Lord Jesus, “will you now restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). They were asking, in effect, ‘are we there yet?’

Jesus had previously taught that ‘no man knows the day or the hour’ of God’s purposes - ‘not even the Son’ (Mark 13:32). They seemed oblivious to the fact that ‘The secret things belong to the LORD our God’ (Deuteronomy 29:29). Jesus had to remind them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (Acts 1:7).

“But you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). The “you” is plural, embracing the whole group. God’s way forward is not by the overthrow of the Romans in another Maccabean revolt, but through the witness of the church to the ends of the earth, and to the end of the age (whenever that may be).

It was at this point that the newly commissioned witnesses saw Jesus “taken up: and a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). The cloud had been present at the mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:34-35); and reminds us of the Shekinah glory of the LORD which led the children of Israel through the wilderness, appeared on Mount Sinai, and which occasionally ‘filled’ the tabernacle and the Temple. Angels appeared beside the Apostles, and gently drew their attention away from their sky-watching stance with the reassurance that “this same Jesus shall come (again) as you have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11).

Drawn away from their sky-gazing, and in obedience to Jesus’ earlier instructions (Acts 1:4), the Apostolic band made their way back to Jerusalem (Acts 1:12). There they entered the upper room - perhaps the same room as that in which Jesus had instituted the Lord’s Supper, and perhaps the same as is associated elsewhere with John Mark’s mother. Luke takes the trouble to name the surviving Apostles at this point of church inauguration (Acts 1:13).

It is significant that Mary, the mother of Jesus was there, along with His brethren. His brethren had not always believed, so perhaps it was Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance to his brother James that changed all that (1 Corinthians 15:7). Their joining together was with singleness of mind, and with persevering prayer (Acts 1:14).

A church at prayer is a church soon-to-be-empowered.

B). LET GOD ARISE.

Psalm 68:1-10, Psalm 68:32-35

#. Psalm 68:1-3 could well serve as a prayer for revival, or even a prayer for the Second Advent of Jesus.

PSALM 68:1. Whenever the ark of the LORD set forward, perhaps even as the priests lifted the ark onto their shoulders, Moses would say ‘Rise up, LORD, and let them that hate thee flee before thee’ (cf. Numbers 10:35). Before we proceed with any project, we should make sure first that it is the LORD who is leading the way. ‘I being in the way, the LORD led me’ (Genesis 24:27).

The idea of the LORD “rising up” does not imply that He is asleep. It is not as if He is somehow inattentive. ‘Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep’ (cf. Psalm 121:4).

The “enemies” of God are “scattered” at the appearing of Christ at the head of His people. Sin, death and hell are vanquished. His people are equipped to ‘fight the good fight of faith’ (cf. 1 Timothy 6:12), and to engage in the great spiritual battle which lies ahead: ‘for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against… SPIRITUAL wickedness’ (cf. Ephesians 6:12).

PSALM 68:2-3. As in many other psalms, a difference is immediately made between the wicked and the righteous.

#. The call to rejoice in Psalm 68:3 is repeated, as also in Philippians 4:4.

PSALM 68:4. The idea of God “riding upon the heavens” is replicated in the journeying of the ark of the LORD through the wilderness. ‘Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God’ (cf. Isaiah 40:3).

An intensification of the name YHWH, “JAH,” is found here, (as also in the word ‘Hallelujah.’) This name speaks of His self-exisitence, and absolute dominion. To THIS God sing we our praises.

PSALM 68:5. ‘I will not leave you ORPHANS,’ said Jesus to His disciples (cf. John 14:18). “Widows” represent the disenfranchised, and God is seen as the judge who willingly takes their side. “God in His holy habitation” represents both heaven, and the indwelling Holy Spirit within His people. God has a particular care towards widows and orphans, which should be replicated in His holy people (cf. James 1:27).