What are you standing here for?

On our Acts adventure it’s imperative that we walk in their world- go back to the life of the early church for a fresh look at what happened.

To understand Acts we need to be present in their reality; back to the year 60 AD. To see with 60 AD eyes and hear with 60 AD ears; We need to think like a small Jewish sect obediently walking out the life and teaching of their Master; committed to passing on His teaching and continuing His ministry to the ends of the earth; in a political, social and religious culture that is antagonistic to their Master and opposed to His teachings. That’s their reality. We need to remove our 21^st century, Western, middle class glasses and set aside our white evangelical mindset, if we are to understand what God is doing and saying in Acts.

Acts 1 begins with the disciples early steps of obedience; as they follow the instructions of their Master, Jesus;

In Acts 1:1-3, Luke summarizes volume 1 (his gospel- see vs.1-3)
In vs. 4-7 Luke sets the stage for volume 2 (the book of Acts)
And in vs 8 he reveals the focus of vol. 2 (what the book is about) his focus throughout the book of Acts
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses  in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

This promise of power raises a question for the disciples- “So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” Acts 1:6 They hear the word power and they think earthly kingdom, freedom from Roman oppression, our way of life returned to us.

We have similar issues today. We think God, His Spirit, His Word are for us, our needs, our wants, our comfort. Jesus refocuses them on what’s important. Be my witnesses from here to the very ends of the earth; keep the main thing the main thing; e.g. the expansion of My Kingdom, My church to the very ends of the earth.

With that, Jesus leaves them to fulfill His plan.“After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9 Jesus leaves just as He said He would.

“They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11

 What are you standing here for?”Why did Luke include this? Why say it this way?

Why not say something like- “looking with amazement, they said wow, let’s go tell the others” or “shocked the disciples wandered back to the upper room”. Or like he did in his gospel (Luke 24:51-52…) “While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

 Why include- “What are you standing here for?”-  “Why do you stand here looking up into the sky?” Luke’s making a point- “Hey guys, He’ll return, just like He said, when He returns it’ll be like this, but until He returns- get on with it. Do what He told you to do. The angels and Luke refocus on the main thing- fulfilling the great commission; the responsibility of His followers to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Don’t stand around looking for My return-go make disciples. I’ll be with you to the end of the age, by My Spirit, so get on with it. And the result is the book of Acts and the ever expanding, triumphant church of Jesus Christ.

Don’t be standing around.