He chose his disciples and they walked with him, and he taught
them for three and a half years; yet they did not understand the great
mystery. They expected Jesus to be made an earthly king and hoped that
they might be with him in the kingdom, probably in his cabinet, because
he was asked if one might sit on his left and the other on his right
hand in the kingdom. They expected him to make Israel a great nation and
believed that through that nation other nations would be blessed. When
he was put to death they were greatly disappointed, mystified, and in
great distress. (Luke 24:21) Even after his resurrection they did not
understand his mission, and this is shown by their words to him on the
day that he ascended into heaven. "When they were therefore come
together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time
restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not
for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in
his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the holy spirit is
come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and
in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up;
and a cloud received him out of their sight."--Acts 1:6-9.
[310]In obedience to the command of Jesus, these faithful disciples went
to Jerusalem to the place known as the upper room, and there waited.
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