April 20, 2017

I Wonder ... Did They Know? by Joylene M. Bailey




There were ten minutes left in an episode of a favourite TV series, when I was hit with the knowledge that this was the final episode. It became clear that things were shaping in such a way that my favourite character – the protagonist - was leaving the story, and the show.

In dismay, I sat up straighter and put my hands on my head.

Nooooooooo!!!
I didn’t know!! I didn’t know!!
If I’d known this was the very last episode, I would have prepared myself! 
But I didn’t know.



And now there were only 10 minutes left.

I spent those last 10 minutes sadly drinking in EVERY THING. Every last encounter with a friend, the quick but knowing glance over at her love interest, the last words spoken to coworkers, the glint of a tear in her eye as she drove off…

They had all been through so much, facing everyday life, unexpected crises, and learning curves that came along. Together. They had grown close, understood each other’s moods, knew what made each one tick. 

And now it was over.

I wanted to continue being a part of their lives. I wanted to go back and appreciate every little look, statement, scene, again.

But alas, it was over.





Odd though it may seem, I remembered that scenario as I was thinking of the disciples watching Jesus be taken up in a cloud. There, where Jesus had led them, on the mount called Olivet. 

I wonder … as they were walking to Olivet, did they know? Had they prepared themselves? Were they aware that this was the final episode of Jesus Christ with them on earth?

Luke 24:51 says that while He was blessing them, He parted from them.
While He was blessing them!

Wait! What?
This is it?!
I wasn’t ready.
I didn’t know!


These guys had been continuously together for three years. They were friends. Close friends.

They knew who could take a prank and who couldn’t. They knew who would instantly react in a situation, who would sit back and take it all in, and who would joke about it later. They knew to which one to turn, to make the money stretch a little further, and which one could help settle a heated argument between friends. 

And though the God parts of Him confused them sometimes, they knew Jesus the man.

They had all been through so much, facing everyday life, unexpected crises, and learning curves that came along. Together.
And just when they thought they had lost their dear Friend and Teacher, here He was in their midst again!


But then, He was really gone.


Acts 1:9-11
     And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. and as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."


I wonder … were they dismayed, taken off guard, hoping to spend 10 more minutes with Him? 10 minutes to listen for the nuances in His voice, or feel the loving acceptance that His very presence brought? Hoping to catch just one more glimpse of Him, this dear, dear life-changing Friend?






Unlike my TV series, it wasn’t over, and the disciples knew it. 

Luke 24: 52 & 53 says that they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising God.


Then came Pentecost when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, this One whom their dear Friend had promised to send.

How they must have welcomed Him!

After spending three years with Jesus, the Christ, how they must have appreciated all of the gifts and characteristics that the Holy Spirit added to their lives.

This is the same Holy Spirit who adds to my life, because I believe in Jesus, the Christ. This One who goes with me through so much, helping me face everyday life, unexpected crises, and steep learning curves that come along. Together. 

This One who assures me I am not alone, that Jesus will never leave me. No, this protagonist is not leaving the show.

And I'm reminding myself to appreciate EVERY THING about that.




All above photos courtesy of pixabay.com




 Joylene writes from her home in Edmonton, where she lives with her Cowboy, Babe, and a cat named Calvin. Check out more of her writing at Scraps of Joy.

9 comments:

  1. I've felt that way a time or two when a show or movie or book is 'finished' and I just want to keep basking in the story. Isn't it wonderful that with Jesus there is no end!

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  2. Oh my--this hits home once again. I JUST finished a TV series and even though I knew it was the end, I was sad. I knew I was going to miss the characters, their relationships, their trials and their triumphs. SOOOO many memories the disciples had with Jesus. How beautiful that even though life was different, their relationship with Jesus didn't end. I'm thankful for that too! Thanks Joy, for speaking into my heart today.

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    1. Yes, the relationship never has to end! So thankful.

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  3. It reminds me of how often I'm just never ready to let go. When I lose someone I love, I just wish.... I had 10 more minutes. But Tracy is right when she says, "with Jesus there is no end."

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  4. You bring to life the story of Christ's dying, returning to his earthly friends, and then rather abruptly departing again. Even though Jesus had warned his disciples that he had to go to his Father, his leaving must have left them longing for their friend.

    Still, they did grasp that Jesus would send the Comforter and this wasn't exactly the end. They had work to do in Jerusalem and they felt compelled to continue Christ's ministry, which they did joyfully. The Comforter would be coming soon. . .

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  5. Love this, Joy! You have such a way of expressing things, and bringing them down to earth- it must have been such a time of mixed emotions! Thank you for this. :) Kathy

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  6. Joy, this is how I often feel about finishing a book that has allowed me to escape to another place. Did the disciples know? I think, even in the hind-sight we have now, that we still don't fully "know" but that is okay - that is faith. Thanks for sharing this very human response in this beautiful post.

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