What can we learn from the Disciples after Jesus Ascended?

Can you imagine how the disciples felt after they watched Jesus ascend right before their eyes?

After all, their leader, their security, their risen Savior, their protector was gone. Did they feel abandoned? Aghast? Confused? Helpless? I would have felt all those ways. And even if I could remember the ways Jesus had tried to prepare me for the event, my paralyzed mind most likely would have wanted to scream, “Don’t leave!!!!” I most likely would feel like I’m on my own–and I don’t like that feeling.

I think those watching did feel a bit paralyzed. After all, it took angels to tell them to disperse (Acts 1:10-11). Did they expect He would immediately come back down? Somehow they moved their legs which were rooted to the spot.

Here’s what happened next:

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (Acts 1:12-14).

This account encourages me. I’m an action person and to be slow to take action is hard for me. I want to burst ahead and do something…anything. But the disciples along with others prayed. They slowed down and somehow had the confidence to know they should wait and pray. TWEET THAT!!!!!

When we don’t know what next step to take, how can the example of the disciples help us know what to do after they saw Jesus ascend into heaven?

So often when we’re unsure of what to do, even in our service to God, we flail about just keeping active doing anything. We might fear if we do nothing our inactivity will be judged negatively by others—and even ourselves. Sometimes it’s better to wait on God’s further orders and faithfully keep obeying his last instructions.

Not only did the disciples and followers not know what to do, they may have been afraid Jesus’ enemies would try to harm them, as they had Jesus. If they were afraid, it would have been reasonable—from a human perspective—for them to flee the city and area. If they fled, they would have been disobeying him because Jesus told them to stay put (Acts 1:4). To their credit, they remained gathered in the upper room despite the possible danger, and spent time in prayer and fellowship.

Their response of prayer was a wise one and an example for us. Whether we’re confident of God’s directions or not, we can pray and continue to seek him.

When we sense it’s time for some decisions to be made, what should we do? TWEET THAT!!!!

I admit, most often, I don’t have complete confidence in God’s leading. Sometimes I hear “no” and other times “yes” on something. I think this is normal. Often, I’ll just go with whatever seems most “like God,” and then pray that He will stop the progress if it’s not His will. I’m so glad the Lord is gracious and powerful and can overcome my mistakes. As long as I’m not willfully and knowingly choosing wrongly, I don’t have to feel guilty or uncertain. I can be confident He graciously is still in charge–because He is sovereign.

How do you decide how God is leading you? How do the choices of the disciples instruct or encourage you after they saw Jesus ascend?

(This is an adapted excerpt from my women’s Bible study book Whispers of My Heart: Daughters of the King Bible Study Series).