089. The Disciples At Prayer.
The Disciples At Prayer.
Acts 1:14. In the scriptural history of prayer, we have reached an interesting and important era.
Jesus has suffered—risen—and ascended to his mediatorial throne in the heavens. He has left behind him a small company, consisting of apostles and other followers, who have witnessed his ascension. To the former, he has given special directions to tarry in Jerusalem, till the advent of the Holy Spirit—the great agent henceforth of carrying forward his kingdom in the world. Although they had enjoyed his instructions for at least three years, yet they needed a more profound knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom than they possessed, or than was expedient for Jesus to communicate to them, prior to his crucifixion. Besides, they needed to be furnished with “a higher capacity for reasoning, with a talent for public speaking, with the gift of tongues, with a power to work miracles, with zeal, courage, meekness, prudence, and unwearied perseverance:” all of which it was the appropriate office of the Holy Spirit to impart. “Without these qualifications, they would have been unfitted for the office which their Master had conferred upon them.” But what becomes of these followers of Jesus? On the occasion of his seizure and condemnation, at an earlier period, they had forsaken him, and fled—or followed “afar off.” Although sincerely attached to him, their fears predominated over their love. But the resurrection of Jesus inspired them with new courage and fresh hopes. They again ventured out, and rallied around him. He, held repeated interviews with them; expressed his kindness for them; gave them a solemn and important commission; and promised them the advent of the Holy Spirit at no distant day. And here leaving them, he takes his departure.
“This event,” observes Mr. Dick, “however honorable to their Lord, and joyful to themselves, had they understood its design, could not fail to affect the disciples in a disagreeable manner in the first moments of surprise, and while they were not acquainted with the important purposes to be served by the ascension. To his personal presence they had conceived a warm attachment, founded in esteem of his excellence and experience of his friendship. From his lips they had heard discourses, replenished with wisdom and grace; and by his hand they had seen works of the most wonderful and beneficent nature performed. He had been their counselor in difficulties, and their comforter in sorrow. To be deprived in a moment of his company; to be left alone in the midst of numerous and implacable enemies; to have the prospect of labors, and sufferings, and death, without the Master at their head; without their condescending and affectionate Savior to advise and encourage them; these were circumstances sufficient to have discomposed the firmest minds, and which would have almost excused the apostles, had they given way to lamentation and dejection. We are informed that they ‘looked steadfastly towards heaven, as he went up,’ continuing to gaze long after the cloud had concealed him. It was a look of astonishment and grief, for the sudden loss of all that was dear to them; it was a look of eager desire to be again gratified with a sight of their Master.”
While thus employed, two angels suddenly appeared, and gave them assurances that, as certainly as he had ascended to heaven, he would descend from it at the time appointed by the Father. They would then again see him, and from him no event thenceforward would separate them. Thus comforted, they leave the consecrated spot, and repair to an upper room in Jerusalem—where they had often assembled— the eleven apostles, with several devout women, who “followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him;” among whom it is natural to particularize Mary, the mother of Jesus. And here how do they employ themselves? Not in renewing anxious doubts and fears, nor in the indulgence of idle and unprofitable speculation; but they betake themselves to prayer and supplication. It was the first praver-meeting of the disciples under the Gospel. It was a protracted meeting; for it continued from day to day. They were all of one mind, and prayer and devotion seem to have been their main business. Nor is it difficult to decide what was the burden of their pressing and importunate supplications. They were promised the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It seems to have been an unconditional promise, and yet they must pray for the blessing. They would by this exercise be prepared for his advent, and better comprehend the magnitude and importance of the blessings anticipated.
Thus early after the ascension of our Lord, do we find the disciples resorting to prayer—persevering prayer. They do not appear to have been specially directed so to employ themselves; but it was the most natural course they could pursue. Promise a Christian a blessing, and he will pray for it. Give him intimation that the Spirit is about to descend, and he is in his closet or in the social prayer-meeting at once, saying:
Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove, With all thy quick’ning powers!
Come shed abroad a Savior’s love, And that shall kindle ours.
Then and there prayer, under the gospel dispensation, began. It was for the descent of the Holy Spirit. And from that auspicious commencement to the present time prayer, especially for this blessing, has been the occupation and business of the truly devoted servants of Jesus. No day probably has since passed—and, we trust, but few, if any hours—in which the incense of prayer for the more copious effusion of the Spirit has not been going up from the earth to heaven. And there our High-Priest and Intercessor has ever since been present, at the “golden altar” seen by John, (Revelation 8:3,) to present the prayers of his faithful ones “before the throne.”
Let prayer thus begun, and continued now for eighteen centuries, go on. Let the Holy Spirit be more and more invoked. Let Jesus and Calvary be proclaimed on every continent, in every island, and over every sea!
Waft, waft ye winds, his story, And you, ye waters, roll, Till, like a sea of glory, It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o’er our ransom’d nature The Lamb for sinners slain—