Acts 1:7-11
Jesus has returned to Heaven! Jesus, in front of his followers, ascends into Heaven. Imagine being there. This would be such a surreal moment. Jesus, the man whom you put your trust in, the man who died on the cross, who then came back, is now leaving again. Their question, their hope, is that He will restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus gives an amazing answer! It is not for us to know the date. We do not know what God has set by His authority. He does things in his own timing. In the meantime. Jesus gives them both a promise and a command. The promise is we will receive the Holy Spirit! Jesus, who is God, is ascending to Heaven, and the Holy Spirit, who is also God, has been promised to those who believe! The Holy Spirit promises power. This is the power and strength to be the witness that Jesus calls His followers here to be. They are to be witnesses to all people! First, the Jews in Jerusalem and to all the ends of the earth. Jesus’ entire goal of being on this earth has now been accomplished. He came, He taught, He died, and has now been alive for forty days after His resurrection to teach his followers once again. It is now time for Him to go back to Heaven as the Jesus who saves! His goal of wanting all people to be able to be saved has been accomplished! That is what is happening here! His mission on earth is complete, and he has tasked his followers to be his witnesses. Now, thousands of years later, we are still tasked with this mission! I think it is funny to see people’s reaction to His ascendance. They are staring at the sky, in my assumption, wishing He would return that instant. Jesus has just left, and we as believers are already waiting for his return. God sent men in white to remind them of Jesus’ request. They say hey! He will return in the same way. Almost as if they needed reassurance that Jesus would come back. It reminds me of a puppy sitting at the door waiting for its owner to return. Sitting in one place, sad all day until he hears the door squeak back open. Jesus has given them a task to do! We are to look forward to his return, but that does not mean doing so idly! God is so good and loves to use those who follow him to accomplish his goal. He loves us and he wants to use us! Look forward to his return! The Bible is very clear here that Jesus will return. Look forward and do so by fulfilling the purpose He has given to all of those who believe! Be his witness!
Jesus has returned to Heaven! Jesus, in front of his followers, ascends into Heaven. Imagine being there. This would be such a surreal moment. Jesus, the man whom you put your trust in, the man who died on the cross, who then came back, is now leaving again. Their question, their hope, is that He will restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus gives an amazing answer! It is not for us to know the date. We do not know what God has set by His authority. He does things in his own timing. In the meantime. Jesus gives them both a promise and a command. The promise is we will receive the Holy Spirit! Jesus, who is God, is ascending to Heaven, and the Holy Spirit, who is also God, has been promised to those who believe! The Holy Spirit promises power. This is the power and strength to be the witness that Jesus calls His followers here to be. They are to be witnesses to all people! First, the Jews in Jerusalem and to all the ends of the earth. Jesus’ entire goal of being on this earth has now been accomplished. He came, He taught, He died, and has now been alive for forty days after His resurrection to teach his followers once again. It is now time for Him to go back to Heaven as the Jesus who saves! His goal of wanting all people to be able to be saved has been accomplished! That is what is happening here! His mission on earth is complete, and he has tasked his followers to be his witnesses. Now, thousands of years later, we are still tasked with this mission! I think it is funny to see people’s reaction to His ascendance. They are staring at the sky, in my assumption, wishing He would return that instant. Jesus has just left, and we as believers are already waiting for his return. God sent men in white to remind them of Jesus’ request. They say hey! He will return in the same way. Almost as if they needed reassurance that Jesus would come back. It reminds me of a puppy sitting at the door waiting for its owner to return. Sitting in one place, sad all day until he hears the door squeak back open. Jesus has given them a task to do! We are to look forward to his return, but that does not mean doing so idly! God is so good and loves to use those who follow him to accomplish his goal. He loves us and he wants to use us! Look forward to his return! The Bible is very clear here that Jesus will return. Look forward and do so by fulfilling the purpose He has given to all of those who believe! Be his witness!
Posted in Devotional