Dressed in running clothes and gym shoes, the hopeful squat at the starting line, prepared to run. Hearts racing, listening acutely, they wait for the command.

 “Get ready, get set…  Go!”

 Before Jesus ascended back to His Father, He gave commands, not pep talks, to His disciples.

“The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:16-20 HCS).”

Jesus had been readying them each step along the way. Through His teaching, preaching and healing miracles they learned the ways of ministry and outreach. Sent out by Him on two-by-two mission assignments, they discovered the necessity of going empowered by Him.  Were they all set to proceed?

“While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. ‘This [He said, is what] you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (Acts 1:4-5 HCS).”

Set, they waited and watched… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 HCS).”  Ready and set they waited on the Lord…

Preparation, presence, provision and power fell upon them. “When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech (Acts 2:1-4 HCS).” Peter and the others were at the starting line.

“Go!”