After givin’ instructions through tha Holy Ghost of Truth ter tha apostles, tha Son began ter teach and show himself ’till tha day he be taken in ter heaven. It happened like this.
He showed himself ter tha Eleven and other disciples. He give many convincing proofs that he whar alive even though he whar executed on tha cross and placed in a tomb. He appeared ter folks over a period of 40 days. He spoke ’bout tha kingdom of Skipper.
On one occasion, while he be eating with tha fellers, he gave ’em this command:
“DO NOT leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:1-5, 8)
After tha Son appeared ter tha Ten, then Thomas (who had all manner of doubts ’bout tha Son being alive), tha Eleven trekked up ter Galilee ter do a bit of fishing. After casting thar nets all night but gathering in little, tha Son waved ter ’em from shore and said:
“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
“Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” (John 21:5-6)
No doubt tha fellers be grumbling ’bout this lubber seated on tha beach be telling them how ter catch fish. Only, since he had a fire going and some fish grilling they obliged. Soon as they did they hauled in 153 fish. Now ya might be thinking this a fishy story and it be, but not in tha way we might imagine.
Some time earlier tha Son had promised tha fellers they would be fishers of men. He had told ’em ter stay in Jerusalem and wait fer Skipper’s special gift. Only it seems waiting in Jerusalem got ter much fer ’em so they went back ter doing what they done be fer they met tha Son. And like most times when we return ter our old ways, they got nothing fer thar efforts. No fish, no fun, no joy.
Right then tha Son called ter ’em: “Come and have breakfast.”
None of tha fellers dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it be tha Son.
Back on tha beach, jest like he did with the 5,000 and tha 4,000, tha Son took some bread and gave it ter ’em, and did tha same with tha fish. Fish fer folks . . . bread of life . . . This whar the third time tha Son appeared ter his mates after he be raised from the dead, only this time they got tha message clear: Old ways be done fer. New ways, new work be thar calling.
We kin imagine that soon as tha fish fry be done fer, tha Eleven hoofed it back ter Jerusalem, fer some days later tha Son met with ’em again and led tha Eleven out of Jerusalem ter the vicinity of Bethany. Thar whar tha Son’s home away from home and tha house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. While he be near tha Garden whar he prayed tha night ‘fore he be arrested, tha Son told ’em plain:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. I am always with you and will be to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
After saying this he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he be blessing them, he floated up in ter clouds and went on ter heaven ter rejoin Skipper. (Luke 24:50-51)
This be tha second ascension of tha Son only this time tha Eleven done as told. Soon as they lost sight of him, the trekked back ter Jerusalem and waited fer thar special gift ter arrive.
Do ya ‘ave this gift, this Holy Ghost of Truth from tha Son’s pop? Do ya wait on Skip? Do ya obey all tha Son teached and preached?
If not, make it yer task ter obey all tha Son tells ya. Not some, not most, but ever last word. Tha Son done gone ter be with his pop, but he be coming back fer them who be in him. Watch and wait and fish fer folks: that be our charge ’till tha day we go ter Davy Jones.