Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 1:12-14
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.
Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.
Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Commentary:
1:12 A Sabbath day’s journey was the maximum distance one could travel on the Sabbath without it constituting work. This was not an explicit OT law but a later Jewish tradition. The rabbis set the limit at 2,000 cubits (about 0.6 miles or 1 km). Jews at Qumran had a lower travel limit.
1:14 The women in the upper room likely included those who ministered to Jesus’ followers (Luke 8:2–3), accompanied them from Galilee (Luke 23:55), and witnessed the crucifixion and empty tomb (Luke 23:49, 55–56; 24:2–11). Jesus had four brothers—James, Joses, Judas, and Simon (Mark 6:3). The main activity in the upper room was prayer. Jesus had told them “to wait for the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4), but “waiting” on God and prayer are closely related in several places in the OT, and therefore it is likely that they were praying constantly that the promised Spirit would descend.
1:14 The women in the upper room likely included those who ministered to Jesus’ followers (Luke 8:2–3), accompanied them from Galilee (Luke 23:55), and witnessed the crucifixion and empty tomb (Luke 23:49, 55–56; 24:2–11). Jesus had four brothers—James, Joses, Judas, and Simon (Mark 6:3). The main activity in the upper room was prayer. Jesus had told them “to wait for the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4), but “waiting” on God and prayer are closely related in several places in the OT, and therefore it is likely that they were praying constantly that the promised Spirit would descend.
Questions:
- Not only were they unified, but they met CONSISTENTLY. They were hanging out with each other all the time and on purpose. Over this period of time, they came and went... but they were consistent in their meeting. This is what it looks like to be in community with other believers. These weren't merely acquaintances. They were brothers and sisters. How have you seen this kind of community play a role in your own life and relationship with Jesus? Has there ever been a time that you lacked this kind of community? What was that like?
- They were unified, they met consistently, and the prayed CONSTANTLY. The verbiage used in the original language is saying that the prayer is ongoing, continual, consistent and constant. Acts is packed with references to this kind of prayer. It shouldn't be surprising to find that, as the followers of Jesus wait for the promised baptism of the Spirit, they "all joined together constantly in prayer." What does YOUR prayer life look like? How and where are you meeting TOGETHER with other believers for prayer?
Pray:
- That you would be committed to meeting consistently.
- That you would be committed to prayer, not just privately, but corporately.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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