And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:46-49

The time was coming for Christ to Ascend back to Heaven and sit at the right of the Father. However before he left, he visited his disciples and he reminded them about the coming of The Holy Spirit. Now if the disciples remembered, Christ taught them about the Holy Spirit several times in John 14 and John 16, however he’s reminding them about the Promise of God The Father”

Now notice Jesus gave them specific directions, stay in Jerusalem. At first the disciples were confused about this command, however even though they didn’t understand , they were still obedient to Christ and carried out his orders. Maybe we as Christians today, should stop trying to overanalyze the Word of God and just listen. We try to make human understanding of everything Gods says, but His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Before Jesus went to the cross, he repeatedly told the disciples that the Christ would have to die for our sins and be raised on the third day. Even though it was prophesied in the Old Testament, and even though Jesus continually reminded them of this, they still didn’t get it, even after it already happened. Jesus is reminding them again, He had to die for the sins of the world, and He is now Risen. However now salvation is now possible for the entire world by the New Covenant, beginning at Jerusalem.

We know today , Jesus was referring to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit was poured down upon believers in Christ, and the gospel was spread to many nations spoken in many different languages. Many believe this is the official beginning of “The Church” , Pentecost was obviously an instrumental day for the establishment of the Church and the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19)

However Christ foretold about Pentecost, just as He foretold about his death and resurrection. Are we listening? The Bible still has other prophecies not yet fulfilled including the Return of Christ, are we ready? It’s time to do more listening to God and less disobedience. Did the Israelites understand when Moses told them to walk through the Red Sea? Did the disciples originally understand why Christ was crucified? Did the disciples understand why Christ told them to stay in Jerusalem? No but God knew and He is always sovereign and able, Amen!