TUESDAY August 30, 2022

A Time to Wait

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 1:12-14

After Jesus’ Ascension, the disciples waited another 10 days for the Holy Spirit to come upon their lives. The anticipation began to build as the disciples continued in one accord––together in prayer. There was no division or disunity, quarrels or strife among them. There was only fellowship, love and joy––a common unity.

The Church was patiently enduring in this waiting period. Notice that Jesus’ half-brothers James and Jude were also there. They finally believed in Jesus and became born again. We have two books of the Bible written by them. Mary the mother of Jesus was in the upper room. She was right alongside the other followers of Christ––120 of them––waiting with them. This is the last place she is mentioned in the Bible.

It is important to observe that Mary was not worshiped. She is worshiping the Lord! It is a false teaching to say that we need to go through Mary to get to Jesus. She needed the power of the Holy Spirit just like the other followers of Christ. Mary is not the mediator between us and Jesus, and she does not intercede for us. Seriously, Mary cannot help you or redeem you. The saints, idols made out of wood and stone, cannot help either. Jesus is our Mediator: For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). He died for you!

Prayers for help are directed to God through Jesus Christ. That is how we access God’s throne room (Hebrews 4:16). Here we endure, waiting for God to answer––and He will answer.

...waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one’s thoughts....
~Elisabeth Elliot~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!