May 30, 2019
Acts 1:6-11 Jesus Is Taken to Heaven
Today is called Ascension Day. It is the day we celebrate Christ’s ascension into heaven; 40 days after his resurrection from the dead. In our passage, Jesus is sharing his goodbyes to the apostles. They want to know how everything affects Israel, but Jesus redirects their attention to the weightier things of the Kingdom. Jesus instructs the apostles to focus on three things: 1) Wait and receive the Holy Spirit—don’t try to do things in your own strength; 2) Expect the Holy Spirit to bring the power of God—supernatural provision for every assignment; and 3) Bear witness to what God is doing everywhere you go—share every LIFE lesson. As Christ’s disciple, these three things are for you, too!
Acts 1:6-11
6 While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?”
7 Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” 9 After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, 10 but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky.
Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. 11 They said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way that you have seen him go.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Holy Spirit who brings power into my life. You progressively change me and then I have LIFE lessons to share with others around me. You have truly made salvation your family business. In Jesus’ name. Amen.