Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2] until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [4] And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." [6] So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." [9] 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. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] 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."
It is interesting to me how this is tied in with yesterday's blog from Matthew 28. Namely, v8 of Acts 1 being related to Matthew 28:19. To make disciples of all nations is to be witnesses of Christ and His love "to the ends of the earth." I encourage you to read the book of Acts to see how this is fulfilled by the apostles.
But on to the business at hand, that is, Christ's ascension. Besides the promise that He gave to the 11 in Matthew 28 to "be with you always," Jesus promises somehing here in Acts as well, just before being lifted up and ascending into heaven. He promises the Holy Spirit to be sent to them, and also with Him, power. What kind of power? Power to be His witnesses....to the ends of the earth.
What has always struck me in this text is that the disciples of Jesus are just standing there staring up into the sky. There is no sense of urgency there. I suppose I would have been right there doing the same, had it been me. The urgency doesn't come until the angel standing there in their midst gives them the business about it...."Why do you stand looking into heaven?"
If you want to get technical, the real urgency doesn't come until Pentecost, when the promised Holy Spirit comes upon them and emboldens them to be Christ's witnesses.
How important was it that Jesus ascend into heaven? Jesus' Words in John's Gospel, chapter 16, give us the importance of His departure to the Father's right hand in heaven....John 16:5-7
But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' [6] But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Tomorrow on the Day of Ascension, I will write some more about the importance of Christ's Ascension using chapter 24 of Luke's Gospel as a guide.
Thank you for reading and have a blessed day!
No comments:
Post a Comment