Today is Thursday, May 17th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1064
Forty days ago today was Easter! The various political and religious leaders didn't like Jesus! He was out-of-the-ordinary, revolutionary, and developing a large following! He threatened the establishment and their authority. They attempted everything they could to try to stop him. Discrediting him, abusing him, and killing him should take care of it.
Then, of all things, Jesus returned to life after he had died!! Now he was wandering around back on earth. What were they going to do to him! What about those who were following Jesus! What were they going to do with all those people?
Today is the day - 40 days later! Jesus was ready to take his royal place in the kingdom God had intended:
Acts 1: 9 - 11
9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
Bible Commentary
Jesus promised the apostles that they would receive power to witness after they received the Holy Spirit. Notice the progression: 1) they received the Holy Spirit; 2) he gave them power, and 3) they witnessed with extraordinary results. We often try to reverse the order and witness by our own power and authority. Witnessing is not showing what we can do for God, but showing and telling what God has done for us.
It was important for the disciples to see Jesus ascend. Then they knew without a doubt that he was God and that his home is in heaven. After 40 days with his disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven. Two angels proclaimed to the disciples that one day Jesus would return in the same way he went—bodily and visibly. History is not haphazard. It is moving toward a specific point—the return of Jesus to judge and rule over the earth. We should be ready for his sudden return, not by standing around ‘gazing at the sky’, but by working hard to share the gospel so others will be able to share in God’s gospel blessings.
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