Thursday, May 24, 2007
Acts 1:13-14 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying . . . They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
AN UPPER ROOM OF PRAYER
We find the disciples again in a room together. Their gatherings since Jesus' resurrection have not always been joyful ones. John tells us that on Easter Sunday evening they were together "with the doors locked for fear of the Jews." This time, however, it is different. They are meeting in an upstairs room and we find them "joining together constantly in prayer."
Jesus, by His resurrection from the dead, had given them hope and joy. They pray because they have seen Him alive and have heard Him speak words of peace to them. They pray because they have seen Him taken from their sight at the Mount of Olives -- taken to be head over all things for His Church. They pray because they have the promise that He will come again.
The things that they have heard and seen move them to prayer; move them to open their mouths in response.
Oh, sing with exultation,
Sing to the Lord, rejoice,
And in His congregation
Shout with triumphant voice.
For, lo, at God's right hand
Is Christ in glory seated;
With death and hell defeated,
As Victor doth command.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 217:1)
