May 14: Celebrating His Victory.
HIS RETURN.
"This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."--Acts 1:11
We all want to know that things will be Ok. We want the assurance that the ending will turn out all right. Have you ever watched a movie twice, read a book for a second time, or watched a previously played sports game for which you already know the final score? Then you have experienced an anxiety-free activity, especially when the game, movie or book ended on a very positive note. When we know the outcome ahead of time, there is no point in worrying or fretting.
This is why the book of Acts begins at the end. After Jesus died to save the human race and rose from the dead, He presented Himself alive to His disciples for forty days (see Acts 1:3). During this time, He explained to His disciples many things regarding the kingdom of God. After commissioning them to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even the remotest parts of the earth (verse 8), Jesus ascended to heaven. He was lifted up, a cloud received Him, and He was out of their sight (verse 9). Notice that the disciples kept looking upwards intently (verse 10); some suggest that they might have expected the cloud to dissipate and to see Jesus again, as had happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. But instead they saw two men in bright clothing, heavenly messengers, who told them that this same Jesus, who had been taken up from them, was sure to come back in the same manner as they had watched Him go into heaven (verse 11). So, in the book of Acts, before we are told about their baptism of the Holy Spirit and how they spread throughout the world, proclaiming the good news of salvation and eventually experiencing tribulations, persecution and even martyrdom, the first thing we (and they) find out is the final outcome: Jesus will come back! It is not just a possibility but a sure thing. And the assurance of His return kept them free from fear and anxiety during the dark and difficult days that followed. The same is true for us. In this world we might be going through pain and tribulations, yet we know the outcome ahead of time. He will come back for us! Hallelujah!
My Response:_______________________________________________________
HIS RETURN.
"This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."--Acts 1:11
We all want to know that things will be Ok. We want the assurance that the ending will turn out all right. Have you ever watched a movie twice, read a book for a second time, or watched a previously played sports game for which you already know the final score? Then you have experienced an anxiety-free activity, especially when the game, movie or book ended on a very positive note. When we know the outcome ahead of time, there is no point in worrying or fretting.
This is why the book of Acts begins at the end. After Jesus died to save the human race and rose from the dead, He presented Himself alive to His disciples for forty days (see Acts 1:3). During this time, He explained to His disciples many things regarding the kingdom of God. After commissioning them to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even the remotest parts of the earth (verse 8), Jesus ascended to heaven. He was lifted up, a cloud received Him, and He was out of their sight (verse 9). Notice that the disciples kept looking upwards intently (verse 10); some suggest that they might have expected the cloud to dissipate and to see Jesus again, as had happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. But instead they saw two men in bright clothing, heavenly messengers, who told them that this same Jesus, who had been taken up from them, was sure to come back in the same manner as they had watched Him go into heaven (verse 11). So, in the book of Acts, before we are told about their baptism of the Holy Spirit and how they spread throughout the world, proclaiming the good news of salvation and eventually experiencing tribulations, persecution and even martyrdom, the first thing we (and they) find out is the final outcome: Jesus will come back! It is not just a possibility but a sure thing. And the assurance of His return kept them free from fear and anxiety during the dark and difficult days that followed. The same is true for us. In this world we might be going through pain and tribulations, yet we know the outcome ahead of time. He will come back for us! Hallelujah!
My Response:_______________________________________________________
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