Verse 12 and 13 gives us two lessons. First, patience, trust, and obedience. Second, God works through people. He always has and he still does. God is working through each of us every day.
Verse 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
Verse 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
they returned to Jerusalem: They were commanded to wait and stay in Jerusalem (see verse 4). Waiting is something God uses in our life. Patience is a high virtue, though a difficult one. Trusting God is one highest Christian virtues, and it too can be very difficult. It is good to see that the disciples were faithful and obedient and loyal to Jesus. Learning patience and practicing patience matures us. And it pleases God. It is one of the way God disciples us.
the upper room: This is likely the same upper room that the disciples used in Luke 22:12 and John 20:19 and John 20:26. And it might well be the same room in Acts 2:1. The gathering of believers which then forms a community of believers can be highly encouraging. We are made for community. We, as Christians, are made to be together.
Peter and John and James and Andrew… Jesus chose the twelve (now eleven) to carry out a specific task. Spread the word about the the kingdom of God, namely the life, teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And we can see them doing this in Acts 2:31, 4:2, 4:33, etc.. Carrying out the commands of Jesus is a privilege, honor, and duty. It is one of the truest ways we walk with God.
Judas the son of James: The Bible lists the disciples four times (Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:13-16, & Acts 1:13). The lists are the same with once exception. Matthew and Mark list Thaddaeus, while Luke and Acts list Judas the son of James. This is best understood that Thaddaeus is another name for Judas the son of James. See Acts 1:23 where someone has three names (“Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus.”)
The disciples were wise and mature to wait and be patient, to wait and trust Jesus’ words, to wait for a promise. We are wise and mature (and getting wiser and more and more mature) when we trust God and when we practice patience. As God used these men, trust that God works through you too!
The Men's Bible Reading Idea 