“And when [Jesus] had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9)
Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 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.” 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.”
Devotion:
Luke is the identified author of the Gospel that bears his name and the book of Acts. While not one of the twelve disciples selected by Christ, Luke is referenced as a physician from Antioch and a long-time companion of the Apostle Paul. Luke was very intentional about investigating the life of Jesus to give an orderly account of what Jesus accomplished. Luke provides great details about Jesus’ ministry and validates the proofs of His death and resurrection.
According to Luke’s account of Jesus’ life on earth, Jesus completed all that God set before Him. Jesus fulfilled all of the Law’s demands. He paid the penalty of sin for generations of all time. Jesus provided the disciples all they needed to bear witness to His saving acts. He also granted them the help of the Holy Spirit. Luke recorded the time Jesus concluded His work on earth so He could continue His work in heaven.
Luke indicated Jesus ascended into heaven and a cloud covered Him from the disciples’ sight. Jesus is not gone, He is just not visible to our sinful eyes. Always true to His promises, Jesus will be with us always to the end of the age. We also have the assurance of the angels that Jesus will come again in the same way He went into heaven. When He returns, He promises to take believers to the place He is preparing for them. As we wait, we can share the testimony of the apostles about Jesus’ work, just like Luke, to the ends of the earth.
Discussion: What things need to be done to investigate something thoroughly?
Prayer: Risen Lord, thank You for Your continued presence in my life and the preparations You are making for Your people. I appreciate the gift of the Holy Spirit, who strengthens me in my faith and helps me to share Your story with others. In Your name I pray, Amen.
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