In the opening verses of Acts, Luke tells us that during the forty days following Jesus’ glorious resurrection from the dead, He was spending time with his disciples, teaching and reassuring them. He expands their understanding of His message regarding the Kingdom of God. For in the light of the cross and His resurrection, that message takes on new meaning.
Unfortunately, the disciples are still not free from nationalistic and political understandings of this kingdom and so they ask, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?” (v.6). They are still looking for an earthly kingdom that rules in a political world. They do not yet fully understand that God’s purpose in Jesus Christ reaches far beyond all national boundaries and beyond every race and lifestyle.
Jesus dismisses their question as irrelevant and again declares their mission is to be His Spirit-filled “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (v.8b). And because He knows this grand mission to be far beyond all human capabilities, He commands them to remain in Jerusalem and “wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (vv.4,5).
Having said that, Jesus takes his disciples to the Mount of Olives, outside Jerusalem, and there “he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”
While the disciples stood there, intently looking upward toward the sky, suddenly two white-robed men appeared and asked, “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.” (v.11). I think in essence saying, “Stop staring upward! There’s work to be done on this earth.”
For Jesus’ disciples, the ascension of Jesus into heaven was a significant commissioning event in sending them out to continue His Kingdom mission, for which he had called and prepared them to do. His mission was now their mission. Furthermore, His mission is also now our mission in this world.
Maybe more than anything else, Jesus’ ascension shows us that Jesus is Lord, exactly as He said. Jesus’ claims about being God’s Messiah are imprinted on every word and action that he said and did from the moment of his resurrection until His ascension. The Jesus’ who died, is now clearly alive and is triumphantly ascended to God. This Jesus returned to a place we cannot yet see, but Jesus goes with purpose, to prepare a place for us, as part of God’s unfolding plan for this world.
Ascension Day is a time for us to reflect and give attention to how serious we are in partnering with Jesus to carry on His Kingdom mission on earth? Do we have a clear sense of personal mission? Do we feel empowered by his Spirit in our life and faith? Do we see living and teaching the gospel message as church work, or as our personal vocation?
There is truth in the saying that “we may be the only Jesus some people ever see.” This is part of God’s plan. The Jesus who is no longer physically present in a way the world can see, becomes visible in us, when we make the compassion, love, and mercy of God real by how we relate to and care for one another, as well as for this earth and all creation.
The church does not exist for itself, but for the world. From the moment God called a special people, God made it clear that every person who bears God’s name has been called into existence to be a blessing in this world. Those were God’s words to Abraham, and they are basically Jesus’ instructions to the church.
And so, the Jesus who is no longer physically present in a way the world can see, becomes visible in the church, when we live and worship together, speaking of God’s glory, love, and amazing grace.
We are the way God blesses this world. We are to grace others with God’s love, and clearly portray God’s presence in this world, revealing the footsteps of God in all our lives during both the bad and good times. We do not live this life blindly and alone. Through the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, we are assured that God is closer than our breath and we will be given everything we need.
The two white-robed men gave witness to Jesus’ ascension into heaven and testified that someday He will return. In the meantime, do not stand around wringing your hands wondering what you should do. Get on with the work of God’s kingdom.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). Amen!
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 12, 2021
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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