Awe and Wonder : Part Four

Awe and Wonder : Part Four

ASCENSION
‘Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them dressed in white,
who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’
(Acts 1 v. 9 – 11)

NOTES
The Ascension, which Luke alone relates, but both in his gospel and Acts, is crucial for our understanding of where the risen Lord Jesus is today – glorified, at the right hand of God, interceding / praying for us.
This passage also points to His return – He will come back – though we do not know when, we must live as those ready to see Him, face to face.

But for me, in this passage, the question (great question, again, of course) the two men robed in white (angel-messengers) put to the disciples is profound.
‘Why are you standing around looking into the sky?’
Of course, we look to heaven – all our spiritual resources come from the One who created us – but they are to be lived out upon the earth, feet firmly grounded.
They have been commissioned, and instructed to go to Jerusalem and WAIT for the promised gift, before being enabled to witness throughout all the world.

There’s a time to stand in awe and wonder.
There’s a time for obedience and faithfulness in all that we have been instructed and commanded to do.

PRAYER (following the song written by Jack Hayford)
Majesty – we worship Your majesty
To You, Jesus, be glory, honour and praise.
Majesty – Your kingdom authority flows from Your throne
Upon and into Your own
So our worship we raise.

We exalt, lift up on high, the name of Jesus
We magnify, we glorify Christ Jesus, the King
Majesty – we worship Your majesty
Jesus, who died, now glorified
King of all kings
AMEN

Phil Gough