Dwelling In Scripture: Acts 1:1-8 - a podcast by Christopher Stephens

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This week I chose Acts 1:1-8.  I used the message translation this time around based on the recommendation for the last dwelling scripture I did.  As I do every time I read Acts 1 I got stuck thinking about whether or not Theophilus was an actual person's name or if it was written to all lovers of God.  Once moving on from that I was caught by something in verse one “...I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach…”  I began to dwell on the actions and words of Jesus and how important and relational they were for us.  I decided to see if it were something I could see throughout the passage.  I started marking down the actions of Jesus and the words He spoke in the passage.  

 

Actions

• “The ones he had chosen”

• “He presented himself alive”

• “Face to face meetings”

• “Met and ate meals together

 

Words

• “Taught”

• “Said good-bye”

• “He talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God.”

• “Told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem…

 

    After thinking on these, I thought to myself “How easy it would have been to force everyone to believe?”  Jesus did not have to speak words or do anything, I am certain he could have command obedience and it would have happened.  But His actions and words, to me, shows an intent to create relationship, prepare for more blessings, and comfort.   

 

    In addition to that in verse 6 I see that Jesus is beginning to ask them and me to “Trust the process” or have faith.  He asks them to stay and tells them the rest is up to the Father.  In the last verse I had to question my ability and willingness to witness in this period of my life.  I felt a bit of guilt knowing that I passed up opportunities to witness due to the business of my life.  I prayed for forgiveness with that and for a heart to see it as an opportunity and not someone else’s.

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