Disciples follow Jesus’
command to wait

While the disciples find themselves in a waiting period bridging two major events, they are not idle. Between the departure of Jesus (a significant ending with grief) and the coming of the Holy Spirit (an exciting beginning) they are praying and planning. And note that they are not doing this alone but with one another.

If you do daily devotions like these on your own, I encourage you to consider occasionally or even regularly

doing them with another person and/or
gathering with a couple of other Jesus followers weekly and
discuss the impact of IMMERSION’s prayers and pondering.

This is a powerful use of the micro-group life we use at Hope. We have found that micro-sized relationships centered around God are tremendously potent for transforming our lives to be like Jesus.

Following Jesus as We Come 'n Go

John 16:7

Very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
~ Jesus

Pondering Point

If you were a disciple in Jesus’ days of walking this earth, this teaching is a major game-changer. Why? Because He was going away where they couldn't follow – at least not yet (see John 13:36).

John 13:36

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

It used to be that they could follow Him into boats and onto water, onto mountains and into valleys, into temples and out of olive groves. Now that is different. While His disciples could no longer follow Him physically, the gift of His Holy Spirit would allow them – and us – to follow Jesus spiritually while we wait to see Him with our own eyes.

Prayer for the Day