CORONA VIRUS PRAYER FOCUS The “Unnecessary” 40 Days: Epilogue – The Ten Forgotten Days (Acts 1:9-26)
CORONA VIRUS PRAYER FOCUS
The “Unnecessary” 40 Days: Epilogue – The Ten Forgotten Days (Acts 1:9-26)
He presented Himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking to them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).
We are entering the last week of the “Unnecessary 40 Days,” and what we have learned is that these days were necessary after all. It took forty days for Jesus to round up the devastated, disillusioned and disappointed disciples. But by Ascension Day, Jesus had succeeded in getting them to where He needed them to be. Now they were in position for the coming of the Holy Spirit in power on the day of Pentecost, ten days later.
In my experience, the ten days between the Ascension and Pentecost get very little press and even, in some cases, negative press (see final section “Jesus Ascends…the Spirit Descends”). Yet during these “ten forgotten days,” we see the carry over of everything Jesus had accomplished during the previous 40 days.
I’m sure that when Pentecost came the 120 were really glad to put the ten days of waiting behind them. In fact, with the exception of Matthias who was selected to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:21-26), I imagine most of those who experienced Pentecost quickly forgot about the ten days of confinement. We will all be glad to have put the stay-at-home days in the rearview mirror. But, hopefully, there are many valuable things God has taught us that we can carry with us in the days to come,
Time of Praise (Angels Watchin’ over Me)
The forty post resurrection days began with an angelic announcement and ended with an angelic admonition. When the tomb came up empty an angel was there to inform the women that the tomb had been vacated because Christ had risen from the dead (Matthew 28:1-7). When the cloud voided the view of Christ’s ascending body on Mt. Olivet two angels were there to bring the upward gaze of the disciples back to earth (Acts 1:9-11). It was an angelic message that began the round up of the disciples that would take 40 days. It was an angelic message that would prod them to gather in the Upper Room to await the coming of the Spirit.
On the top of the ark of the covenant two cherubim situated on each end of the ark bow with outstretched wings as their heads gaze downward at the lid of the ark (Exodus 37:1-9). This lid is known as the “mercy seat,” the place where applied blood atones for the sin of men. When the empty tomb Is observed two angels are found, one at the foot of where Christ’s body had lain and one at the foot of where His body had lain (John 20:12). Bloodstained grave cloths that had enwrapped the crucified body of Christ lay in that empty tomb. The blood atonement of Christ had become the permanent Mercy Seat inviting the wondering gaze of angels (I Peter 1:12).
Angels had delivered a message of great joy in announcing the resurrection (John 20:20) which the disciples were slow to grasp. Angels delivered a message at the Ascension that was quickly seized upon joyously by the disciples (Luke 24:52).
The angel army stood down during the ten days between the Ascension and Pentecost, but they remained on call to assist the church to carry out the witness of Christ to the world (Acts 5:19-21; 12:7-10; 27:23-24). This same angel army remains on call to this very day to assist you and me as we take the witness of Christ to the world (Hebrews 1:14).
These angels also share with us the common bond of perpetual worship of God now and throughout eternity (Revelation 7:9-12). Take time now to offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God. Who knows how many times angels have come to our assistance as He has sustained us during this pandemic. God has promised to be with us in the days to come. He will have His angels on standby to assist us as we push out to minister the gospel to a lost and dying world!
God only knows the times my life was threatened just today.
A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way.
Near misses all around me, accidents unknown,
Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home.
But I know they're all around me all day and through the night.
When the enemy is closing in, I know sometimes they fight
To keep my fight from falling, I'll never turn away.
If you're asking what's protecting me then you're gonna hear me say:
Got his angels watching over me, every move I make,
Angles watching over me!
Angels watching over me, every step I take,
Angels watching over me
-Amy Grant
A Time of Reflection (“Just as he said…”)
The forty post resurrection days began with the reminder that Jesus had spoken often of what was now taking place (Mark 16:5-7). The forty day period ended with the words of Jesus telling them to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Spirit (Luke 24:49) and how they were to carry the witness of Christ into the world (Acts 1:7-8). Throughout the forty days Jesus showed up from time to time instructing the disciples and sharing the scriptures with them (Luke 24:25-27, 44-48).
During the ten days between Ascension and Pentecost, those gathered in the Upper Room looked to the scriptures for guidance in finding an apostolic replacement for Judas. Specifically, they found instruction in the book of Psalms (Psalms 41:9; 65:29; 109:8).
Just as those in the Upper Room looked to the Psalms, you can use Psalm32 as your checklist for spiritual reflection:
· Psalm32:1-2 Make sure that you have put your trust in Christ, and Him alone, for your salvation.
· Psalm 32:3-5 Take time to confess any sins that are weighing your down.
· Psalm 32:6-7 How is your prayer life?
· Psalm 32:8-9 Do you have a regular time of Bible reading and study in your life?
· Psalm 32:10-11 Count your blessings! Thank God for grace, mercy and the righteousness He gives to you in Christ through the Spirit. Rejoice in who you are in Christ!
Hear the bells ringing,
They’re singing that we can be born again!
Hear the bells ringing,
They’re singing that Christ is risen from the dead
The angel up on the tombstone
Said, “He has risen just as He said
Quickly now go tell His disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead.”
Joy to the world
He has risen, Hallelujah!
He’s risen, Hallelujah!
He’s risen, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
-Annie Herring
Time of Intercession (Better Together – The Real “Lord’s Prayer”)
There were many sustaining factors that kept the disciples from scattering to the four winds during the 40 days between the resurrection and the ascension. Most notable is of course Christ’s personal appearances and the personal admonitions, instructions and challenges of His words. Another important one was when He breathed the Holy Spirit into the disciples (John 20:22). He did this within the first 24 hours after His resurrection. I call this the glue that helped hold the disciples together until the Spirit fell in fulness on the day of Pentecost. Still another important factor, perhaps the most important, that sustained the disciples were the prayers Our Lord was praying for His disciples. He had prayed for Peter that he would be able to come through the “sifting” of satan and be able to strengthen the other disciples (Luke 22:31-32). In John 17 we are privileged to listen in on the intensity of prayer with which Jesus was interceding not only for the disciples but for you and me as well.
If I could rewrite history, I would call John 17 the “Lord’s Prayer.” What we call the “Lord’s Prayer” I would rename the “Model Prayer.” I grew up in a church where the so called “Lord’s Prayer” was repeated every Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I learned it just as I am glad I memorized other scripture. However, when you examine the context it seems as plain as the nose on your face that the last thing Jesus wanted us to do with His model prayer was to end up repeating it in a ritualistic way (Matthew 6:5-13).
The John 17 “Lord’s Prayer” has certainly been answered and is still being answered but it was especially critical in sustaining the disciples during the 40 days of the post resurrection appearances of Christ. He prayed that none of them would be lost with the exception of Judas (John 17:12), and we find them in the Upper Room seeking God’s will for a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:15-26). He prayed for them to be kept from the evil one(John 17:15), and we find them later all praying together (Acts 1:14, 24). He prayed that they would be sanctified in the truth of the Word of God (John 17:17), and we find them seeking God’s will in the scriptures (Acts 1:16, 20). He prayed for them to be sent into the world (John 17:18), and we find them ready to be launched on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). Most importantly, He prayed for them to be one (John 17:11), and we find them in the Upper Room during the ten “forgotten days” between the Ascension and Pentecost in “one accord” and in prayer (Acts 1:14).
Pentecost is generally recognized as the “birthday of the Church.” But, you could make a strong case that the Church had already begun during the ten “forgotten days.” Acts 2:42 describes four characteristic practices of the church: fellowship, breaking of the bread, apostles’ doctrine and prayer. With the possible exception of the observance of the Lord’s Supper (breaking of bread), this group of 120 was observing all of these. They were fellowshipping because they were in one accord. They were following the Apostle Peter’s lead in looking to the scriptures. The were certainly in prayer!
During this pandemic I believe the church has been brought to its knees in prayer and that’s a wonderful thing. As we break out of confinement and restrictions let us remember to continue in prayer. The power of prayer has never been confined or restricted. Prayer is needed more than ever in the days to come.
Use your updated prayer lists to intercede for your brothers and sisters in Christ and for your neighbors in the world.
May God give you eyes to see, He's still greater
Courage to rise and believe He's able
May God be your peace in the fire you're walking through
This is my prayer now
This is my prayer
May your eyes be ever on the Lord, your helper
May you find your refuge in the Lord, your shelter
May you find Him closer than a brother all your days
All of your days!
-Alisa Turner
The Lord Ascends …. The Spirit Descends (“And the Lot fell to …”)
I mentioned at the beginning of this week’s prayer focus that the ten days between the Ascension and Pentecost not only gets little attention but sometimes it has received negative reviews. One is that the Apostles never should have replaced Judas with Matthias, but that God intended that for Paul. Another is that the casting of the lot was now archaic and should not have been used. Both of these criticisms may seem valid in that Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon them as the Lord had made clear He would come to them in “not many days from now” (Acts 1:5).
The problem I have with such criticism is that of the text itself. Nowhere does the scripture say what was done was in error. I strongly believe that if what had been done was out of God’s will, then God would have indicated that in His Word.
We are better served if we look within this passage for what can be positively applied. The 120 had been confined for ten days waiting to break out. We are about to break out of our confinement and have a wonderful opportunity before us to impact the world for Christ. The 120 were unified in prayer seeking God’s will through the scriptures. What could better describe what we should have been during the pandemic confinement?
I would like to end our long journey through these “Unnecessary 40 Days” with what I will call the “Apostolic Challenge.” It is very clear that the requirement to be an Apostle who could replace Judas was someone who had seen the resurrected Christ (Acts 1:21-22). I have a real problem with those today who assume the title Apostle with a capital “A.” That office ended with the calling of Paul, who was the lone exception in His vision of the risen Christ “as by one born out of due time” (I Corinthians 15:8).
However, the word “apostle” (Apostolos in Greek) means “one who is sent forth,” and in that sense I have no problem with believing that we are all “apostles,” with a small “a,” because we are all sent forth to be witnesses of the gospel. I wonder if Joseph Barsabas felt bummed out or relieved that he was not selected to be the twelfth Apostle? (Acts 1:23-26). However, Acts 2:1-4 suggests that the Holy Spirit did not fall exclusively on the twelve Apostles on the day of Pentecost, but upon all who were gathered together. The lot did not fall to Joseph, but the Holy Spirit nevertheless fell upon him and, as such, his lot was to be a witness along with all the others who were therein assembled.
I like the symbolism of there being a vacated office of apostleship and that the “lot” that is, the calling of the Holy Spirit falls upon every believer. The moment you are saved the “lot” falls to you to fulfill your calling according to the gift of the Holy Spirit given to you.
I have been challenging us to be asking the Lord to show us what He would have us do to minister in a way that will have a positive impact. The reason our return date for morning worship is June 7, and not May 31, is because the High School has requested the use of our parking lot on May 31, for a “drive in commencement” for the graduating class of 2020. State Troopers are needed to control the traffic and the only time the troopers were available was 10 a.m. which would just be too confusing to try to have worship with all that going on. We could have insisted that our return to worship was more important than the commencement, however, we reasoned that we can have worship every Sunday whereas the graduating class will have only one commencement. This is actually a privilege for us to be able to bless the community by making our property available. By assuming a servant’s attitude toward the community, we are enhancing the credibility of our witness. I consider this to be an excellent example of the ways we should be looking to serve others, and in so doing watch for opportunities to share the gospel.
Acts 1:26: “And they cast their lots, and the lot fell to ….” … YOU!
Make me a servant, humble and meek
Lord, help me lift up those who are weak
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant, make me a servant
Make me a servant today
-Kelly Willard