
Today is Ascension Day within the Christian Church. It is the celebration of the astonishing event when Jesus, the Son of God, who had come from heaven and was born in the flesh, returned to His rightful place at the right-hand of the throne of God. Jesus met His disciples at a location, on a mountain, where He had instructed them to meet Him. Some believe the place of their meeting was on the Mount of Olives. This would be the final time they would be able to see Him on this side of heaven, until He would return as King and Judge at His Second Coming!
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts give their separate accounts of this momentous setting.
Before Jesus ascended back into His place of glory, He made it very clear what He wanted His close followers to do after He was gone. His instruction were that they would go throughout the world and spread the good news of the Gospel to all nations and people. They would be His extended hands, feet, mouth, and heart of love as they carried out the work He (Jesus) had began when He was among them. He also promised them He would be with them always, if not in person, then in spirit. And by sending His Holy Spirit on Pentecost He kept His promise completely.
Will Jesus really come again out of the heavens just like went into them. Most certainly! Acts tells us in 1:9-11, “And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven, as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Jesus has gone back to His seat of honor and glory, where He is reigning, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He came from the Father and He returned to Him after accomplishing all His Father had sent Him to do. The last task for Jesus to complete will come when He returns to set all things right and make all things new. Let us be ready for His return, whenever that might be, for it will most assuredly happen. May we be about doing the work of sharing the Gospel and let you and me keep our eyes to the heavens as we wait with great anticipation for your and my ascended Savior to come back! Pastor McCarty