Ascension

Luke 24:49-53 NKJV

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." [50] And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. [51] Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into Heaven. [52] And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Today is Ascension Day - 40 days after Resurrection Sunday.

Jesus had been proving that He was alive from the dead during that time. Many people witnessed this and He showed "infallible" proofs that He was BODILY back from the dead.

He ate some broiled fish, walked and talked a good Bible study, showed His crucified scars, cooked and ate breakfast with the disciples.

Years ago Ascension Day was celebrated. Schools had to attend church and then were given the rest of the day off as a holiday.

Nowadays this day is largely ignored and passed over.

However, this day marks a great transition - from Jesus' earthly mission - to His Cosmic one.

Now He fills everything everywhere with His Presence - no longer confined as He was in earth.

He "sat down" at the right hand of the Father, as was foretold:

Psalm 110:1 NKJV

The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

Acts 1:6-11 NKJV

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. [8] But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." [9] Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. [10] And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, [11] who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven."

I think we would all have gawped in wonder as Jesus ascended into Heaven and passed from their sight into the cloud.

They needed to be snapped out of their incredulity by a couple of angels - stop staring and get moving!

The era is still currently to spread the Word till Jesus comes back in the same way as He left earth - in the clouds - as He told Caiaphas at His trial:

Matthew 26:64 NKJV

Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of Heaven."

Risen, ascended, glorified - Lord Jesus we celebrate You today with great joy - You are alive forevermore!