“…he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left and was taken up into heaven.” Luke 24:50-51
Today is Ascension Day. It is always celebrated forty days after Easter. It is the day our Lord rose to sit at the right hand of the Father and prepare a place for us believers to dwell for all eternity. There should be Hallmark Cards- today is a great and wonderful day.
It is the day he blessed his disciples. He opened their eyes to see He was the fulfillment of all the prophecies. He gave them, and us, the commission to spread the Word and lead people to Him. It was the day He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be our internal guide, comforter, teacher and intercessor. It was also the day he left.
I think about the disciples. Here they were mourning the loss of their best friend, their rabbi and the man they had walked side by side with for three years. Then suddenly he appears, alive and hungry! He spend about six weeks with them and just as they were getting used to His being around and were learning so very much, He leaves- this time forever. What do they do?
Luke tell us. ” Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually in the temple, praising God.” vs 52-53
Why? Why were they not sad and crying? Because they believed His promise. He was not gone forever- they would join Him in Heaven. They had a ticket to eternity. So do we. Ten days later they received the Holy Spirit just as we can if we ask Jesus into our hearts.
No, He didn’t leave- He came – in a new way- a special way. He came to dwell in us instead of amongst us until the day He comes to lead us home to Heaven. He is still our best friend, our rabbi, the one we can walk side by side with through our daily struggles, joys and heartaches.
Maranatha Lord Jesus- Come. Let me daily enter the temple of my heart and praise you with great joy. Thank You for Your sacrifice and for Your Ascension so You could send down Your Spirit to live in me, unworthy as I am. Cleanse me of my confessed sins and guide me to hear Your voice. Teach me your ways and fill my heart with joy until the day the trumpets sound and You return for your bride -me- and take me home. Amen. Hallelujah.
