Acts 1:6-11
So, when they were together with him, they asked, “Lord, is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said these things, he was taken up while they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as he went away. Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for being so patient with us, just as you were with your disciples. They were once again looking for that earthly kingdom you would restore. Quite often, we can be like that as well. We look for the comforts of this life; we want smooth sailing with no choppy waters. We look to you to set your hand-selected servants to run this globe, and what we fail to see is you running everything. The Father has given you all power and authority over the universe. It is impressive that you run it through some people who are far from godly yet still go only as far as you will allow them. Eventually, this world will end, but that is not for us to know when.
Like the disciples, we are to be your witnesses, sharing the good news of what you have done for us—forgiving our sins, giving us hope, life, and salvation. All this we share in anticipation of your return. Should we be called home through death or judgment day, we must always be prepared for our final day. We look to you for the forgiveness you have won for us while you hung on the cross. The Holy Spirit creates, feeds, and sustains our faith through the word and sacraments to trust in you. Lord, give us the confidence to look to heaven, not wondering where you are but prepared for you to come back again. Because of your ascension, we don’t have to go to Jerusalem to find you; you are with us no matter where we are at. Please help us be content in all situations knowing that you are always with us, even unto the end of the age. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
Search heaven in anticipation, always ready for Jesus’ return. What a wonderful day that will be!