Pastor Mark Dippre’s Reflection

I wonder what it was like to be with, walk with, and experience the miracles of Jesus many years ago.  How wonderful it would be to be one of His followers or be able to have the title of one of His disciples.  Imagine watching Jesus ascend into heaven. It must have been both awe-inspiring and deeply unsettling for the disciples.

In Acts of the Apostles 1:1–11, they stand on the Mount of Olives, eyes fixed on the sky, as the One they had followed, questioned, loved, and depended on is taken from them. This moment was not just a dramatic departure—it was a turning point. Their teacher was gone in bodily form, and the responsibility for continuing His mission now rested on them. It’s no wonder that two angels ask, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” (Acts 1:11). The question feels almost like a gentle challenge: What are you waiting for?

The disciples had every reason to feel uncertain. They had witnessed the resurrection, yes, but they were still human.  They were still filled with doubt, fear, and hesitation. Yet Jesus had prepared them for this moment.

In Gospel of John 14:26, He promised, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” The ascension was not abandonment; it was transition. Jesus’ physical presence would be replaced by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

So, the angels’ question is for you and me to look into our own lives: What are we looking for? Are we waiting for unmistakable signs, or are we ready to trust what has already been promised? Faith, in this sense, is not passive observation but active obedience. The disciples could not remain staring at the sky; they had to return to Jerusalem, as instructed, and wait with expectation (Acts 1:4). Their waiting was not idle; it was filled with prayer, unity, and hope.

The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, described in Acts of the Apostles 2:1–4, reveals the fulfillment of that promise. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” This moment transformed fearful followers into bold witnesses.  They witnessed this in the wind and fire descending on their hearts.

It is here that Jesus’ words in Gospel of John 14:12 begin to take shape: “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.”

These “greater things” are not about surpassing Jesus in power, but about the reaching impact of the Gospel through the Spirit working in many lives across the world.

This raises an uncomfortable question: Is our faith strong enough to live this out? It is easy to admire the disciples from a distance, yet today we are called to mirror what they started. Preparing for Pentecost is not about recreating a historical event; it is inviting the Holy Spirit to set our hearts on FIRE.

Practically, this begins with prayer. The disciples “all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14). Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will and creates space for the Spirit to move. It also involves repentance and openness.

Another step is to read and live out the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit does not operate independently of God’s Word; rather, He makes it become alive in our hearts. As Jesus said in Gospel of John 16:13, “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” Regular reflection on Scripture helps shape our ability to recognize His voice.

Community also matters. The disciples waited together, not alone. Faith is strengthened in shared worship, encouragement, and accountability. Finally, we need to be obedient.  The Spirit calls for action, but we must be willing to step out in faith—whether that means sharing the Gospel, serving others, or simply living in a way that reflects Christ.

In the end, the image of the disciples gazing into heaven challenges us to lift our eyes—but not to remain there. We are called to move forward, trusting that the same Spirit who filled them is available to us.

The question is not whether the promise is real, but whether we are ready to live as if it is.  So, I ask you, what are you waiting for?