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Acts 2: 41-47 (the message)

"That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved."

What a beautiful description of the early church. Jesus has just left them and I can only imagine how much they must have missed Him being around. I have friends that I talk to and see every day - I adore them - and I simply cannot imagine them not being around me everyday. Even more, Jesus had come and changed their hearts and lives from the inside out. He had come and answered the deep questions that generations before them had been asking. He gave them reason to live. He taught them, He healed them, and He showed them the answer to life. Some of us know what it's like to not have someone around anymore, and I'm sure they must have missed Him - terribly missed Him.

But they knew what they had to do. They had to start the revolution. He had left them on the earth with the humanity He died for in their hands. They were to fix and heal them in His name. But they needed some tangible help, the help He had promised them. Then, after waiting and praying for the help, the Holy Spirit descended on them in their prayer meeting and the revolution, post Jesus on earth, began. It was crazy. People were everywhere - excited, unified and joyful. All Jesus' believers were radically changed. They loved each other and they shared their possessions. They were always in church together, sat around food (as all good friends should) and ate as they talked and laughed and praised Jesus. I can imagine the joy and laughter of friends washing and wiping dishes together! They were full of the joy that came from lives that had been changed because of Jesus. I get super excited when I realize that church is made up of people who have been touched by Jesus, and it's pretty simple and sweet.