Leaving But Not Alone
“Jesus knew that he could only be at one place at one time. But the Holy Spirit can be with all of us, everywhere we go. And the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, now lives in us.” – Tony Walliser
Read Acts 1:1-11
Leaving But Not Alone
Do you remember the old John Denver song, “Leaving on a Jet Plane?” It tells of a guy who is going somewhere and ruefully says, “I’m leavin’ on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go.” Have you ever felt that way?
Travel can be exciting and exhilarating, but it can also be sad when we’re leaving loved ones behind for a period of time. As the poet wrote, “parting is such sweet sorrow.” What about the ones being left behind? If you’re a father, have you ever had to go on a business trip and one of your children said, “Daddy, don’t go!” Tugs at your heart, doesn’t it?
Maybe you felt that way as a child yourself when one or both of your parents were going somewhere without you. It might have been just a trip to the grocery store, or they might have been going on a cruise, leaving you with a relative or babysitter. How did you feel to be left behind?
Maybe this reminds you of the classic Christmas film, “Home Alone,” in which a boy’s family goes on a vacation trip for the holidays and somehow manages to leave him behind. Even though the movie is funny and shows the young fellow making the best of the situation, in real life it would be a terrifying experience.
Try to imagine what was going through Jesus’ disciples’ minds after His crucifixion and His resurrection.
They had spent three years with Him, listening to His teaching that was unlike anything they had ever heard before. They watched in awe at many miracles Jesus performed. They encountered fierce opposition with Him. They witnessed Him being nailed to a cross, apparently bringing His incredible ministry to an end.
But wait! Three days later Jesus rose from the dead, and their intense grief was dispelled by the joy and wonder of being with Him again. Hooray!
Then, 40 days later, Jesus announced to them that He was leaving. Again. What?! Not only that, but He gave them instructions to continue the work He had started with them: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to do all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions!
While their minds were reeling over everything that had happened and all Jesus had told them, He made one final declaration: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” How could this be?
Jesus explained that although He was leaving them physically, ascending to Heaven, He was not going to leave them alone. In His place He was giving them His Holy Spirit. He would continue to live in them spiritually and work through them to accomplish His life-changing mission, not only nearby – in Jerusalem – but also in Judea, Samaria, and ultimately, “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The best news of all: This promise wasn’t just for His closest disciples, but for all who through the months, years, and centuries to come would receive His gift of forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life. Including us!
Have you ever felt, as a believer, “I can’t do this?” You felt totally inadequate for the command Jesus gave us to live for Him and serve as His representatives to a lost, very confused world?
Whenever we feel this way – and all of us do from time to time – we need to remember the assurance the Lord gave to each of His followers – 2,000 years ago and today. He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses.”
Even though Jesus departed from this world physically, He remains spiritually present through His Spirit, strengthening and empowering us to live the life that apart from Him is impossible.
This is why this Christmas season – and all year-round – we can celebrate Immanuel, “God with us.” He didn’t leave us alone!