eir faces confusion and defeat; but they saw
gladness and triumph. The disciples had seen the risen Saviour, and
His parting promise echoed in their ears.
In obedience to Christ’s command, they waited in Jerusalem for
the outpouring of the Spirit, “continually in the temple, praising and
blessing God.” Luke 24:53. They knew they had an Advocate at the
throne of God. In awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance,
“Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it
you.” John 16:23. Higher and still higher they extended the hand of
faith.
As the disciples waited, they humbled their hearts in repentance
and confessed their unbelief. Truths which had passed from their
memory were again brought to their minds, and these they repeated
to one another. Scene after scene of the Saviour’s life passed before
them. As they meditated on His pure life they felt that no toil would
be too hard, no sacrifice too great, if only they could bear witness in
their lives to the loveliness of Christ’s character. If they could have
the past three years to live over, they thought, how differently they
would act! But they were comforted by the thought that they were
forgiven, and they determined, so far as possible, to atone for their
unbelief by bravely confessing Him before the world.
The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to [22]
meet men and speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting
away all differences, they came close together. And as they drew
