In the forty days after His resurrection... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

He (Jesus) was taken up, and a cloud received him put of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 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.
Acts 1:9-11.

In the forty days after His resurrection Jesus had had countless conversations with His apostles. Now the time had come for His ascension. The disciples watched their beloved Lord, as the cloud took Him up. As on other occasions it was clearly a special cloud in which God concealed His glory from men's eyes. The heaven that received Jesus was not the atmospheric heaven or the universe, but the immediate presence of God. (cf. 1 Kings 8:10.11; Matthew 17:5).

What a tremendous thing it was that the Son of God entered the glory of heaven as a Man and the forerunner of believers. There He was "crowned with glory and honour" and given the place of honour at the side of God (cf. Hebrews 6:20; 2:9; 1:13).

The Son of God returned to His Father's house as a Man and has prepared a place for believers there (John 14:2.3).

The disciples continued watching the Lord ascending. Two angels comforted them by assuring them that Jesus Himself would come again. His ascension occurred at the Mount of Olives, where He will re-appear to establish His kingdom of peace (Zechariah 14:4).

Today's reading: Jeremiah 46:1-28 · Romans 12:9-15