Today’s passage: Acts 1:9, along with Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:50–52
Focus verse: He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:9)
After Jesus gives his parting instructions to his disciples and commissions them to be his witnesses throughout the entire world, he has completed all he came to earth to do. It’s time for him to leave.
It’s time for him to return to his Father in heaven.
In the book of Acts, Luke records this succinctly. After Jesus instructs them, he’s taken up into the sky as they watch. A cloud covers him. That’s it.
Mark is also brief. He simply writes that Jesus is taken up into heaven to sit at God’s right hand.
Perhaps the reason Luke doesn’t provide any detail about this in the book of Acts, is that he already did so in his biography of Jesus.
In Luke he writes that Jesus took his disciples to a place near Bethany. He lifts his hands to bless them. Though I’d really like to know what his blessing was, Luke doesn’t tell us. But I’m sure it was an amazing one.
As he blesses them, his body levitates. He rises upward. He ascends into heaven.
Consider what the disciples have gone through in the past forty days. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for them, one we can scarcely comprehend.
The man they followed and committed their lives to was killed on a cross. Forgetting that he said he would rise from the dead, they fall into deep despair.
It’s all over. Everything they dreamed of and hoped to happen is gone. Their lives are in disarray and their future is a huge question mark.
Then they hear an incredible report that Jesus has risen from the dead, that he’s alive. Hope stirs within. Soon after that, Jesus appears to them, confirming his resurrection. Their emotions soar.
However, it’s not long before he tells them he’s leaving them again, this time for good. Their hope sags. How could their Rabbi abandon them and not be there to guide them?
But this is a good thing for him to go away, he says. Unless he leaves, until he leaves, the promised comforter, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, cannot arrive.
They take solace in this, even if they don’t like the idea of Jesus going away. I’m sure they’re emotionally torn.
As he prepares to leave, Jesus gives a final bit of encouragement. He teaches them, just like always, but now they understand. At that his body rises into heaven. And he’s gone.
What are they thinking at this point? They could be sad that he’s left or excited over the gift he promised to send them: the Holy Spirit.
Regardless, they worship him and return to Jerusalem filled with joy.
Questions:
- When the unexpected occurs, do we wallow in despair or anticipate what God will do next?
- Would we rather have Jesus with us or the Holy Spirit in us?
Prayer: May we worship you, Jesus, for what you did, and may we embrace you, Holy Spirit, for what you are doing in our lives.
[This devotional is taken from the Day 40 reading in The Victory of Jesus.]
Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his return to heaven in The Victory of Jesus. The Victory of Jesus is another book in Peter DeHaan’s beloved Holiday Celebration Devotionals Series. Get your copy today.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.