“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’”
Acts 1:9-11
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AUGUST 23, 2024
What is one of the most amazing spectacles that you have witnessed with your own eyes? I can think of events, accomplishments by athletes, concerts, and political events worldwide, but never in my lifetime have I seen what the apostles witnessed in verses 9-11.
These verses show a pivotal moment in Christian history: Jesus Christ’s ascension. After His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with His disciples, teaching and preparing them for the mission ahead. This moment marks the conclusion of His earthly ministry and the commencement of the disciples’ mission to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
If I were watching this, I would have been amazed to see my Savior float up into the sky. It was a miraculous event, but it was also a statement of Jesus’ divine authority. As they were looking on, he was lifted up emphasizes His return to the heavenly realm, a fulfillment of prophecy and a testament to His divine nature. But notice what the apostles are doing.
The disciples were gazing into heaven as he went, likely filled with awe and perhaps a sense of loss. This moment is a point of transition. Jesus’ physical departure signified that His followers must shift from passive spectators to active participants in God’s plan.
When you and I read this, it should challenge us to consider our focus: Are we merely gazing upwards, waiting for divine intervention, or engaging with the mission entrusted to us?
Like us, the apostles needed some redirecting. Two men stood in white robes caught the disciples’ attention. These messengers offered a gentle rebuke and also a profound promise. Their question, “Why do you stand looking into heaven?” got them moving. The promise that “this Jesus…will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” reminds us of Jesus’ eventual return and the fulfillment of God’s plan.
This was a spectacular event full of spectacular promise. Acts 1:9-11 invites us to live in the tension of what we often call “the now and the not yet.” We live serving the risen Savior and live with hopeful expectation. We are called to carry forward the mission of spreading the gospel, empowered by the Holy Spirit, just as the disciples were. At the same time, we hold onto the promise of Jesus’ return, allowing it to shape our lives with hope and purpose.
Life’s purpose didn’t end with the ascension. We can’t live looking up to heaven and not understand that we have been welcomed into a Kingdom we can reveal to others. No matter how amazing that ascension was, what is even more amazing is to be a child of the risen Savior who participates in expanding His beautiful kingdom.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- How would you have felt standing there with the other apostles?
- What does the ascension declare about Jesus?
- What keeps you from feeling and living like you’re connected to the first eleven verses of Acts 1?
Church Reading Plan:
- Today, August 23: Jeremiah 52; Psalm 31
- Saturday, August 24: Lamentations 1; Psalm 32
- Sunday, August 25: Lamentations 2; Psalm 33