After His resurrection, Jesus spent forty days appearing to His disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God. On the final day, He led them to the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. Standing among them, He blessed them and gave them a final commission.
Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
As the disciples listened intently, Jesus began to ascend into the heavens. Their eyes fixed on Him, they watched as He was enveloped by a cloud, disappearing from their sight.
Filled with awe and wonder, the disciples stood gazing into the sky. Suddenly, two angels appeared and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
The Ascension marked the completion of Jesus’ earthly ministry. He returned to the presence of God the Father, taking His rightful place of authority and glory. But His departure was not the end of His work. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would empower the disciples to carry out the mission He had entrusted to them.
The Ascension holds deep significance for believers. It confirms Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, who conquered death and ascended to the Father. It gives assurance that He reigns as Lord and Savior, interceding on our behalf.
Moreover, the Ascension points to the future hope of His return. Just as He ascended, He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. The angels’ words remind us to live in anticipation and readiness for His second coming.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to fulfill the mission He entrusted to the disciples. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are to bear witness to the Gospel, sharing His love and salvation with people from all nations.
The Ascension reminds us of the eternal perspective we should hold as we navigate the challenges and joys of life. It encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus, knowing that He is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling over all creation.
In the Ascension, we find both a sense of closure and a call to action. It marks the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry while igniting the flame of mission within His followers. May we embrace the significance of the Ascension, living as His witnesses, and eagerly awaiting His glorious return.
