9 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. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 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.”1
The Ascension of our Lord into heaven was an incredibly important aspect of His earthly ministry. Think about it like this: We needed the Holy Spirit to empower us to complete the mission Jesus has given us in one accord. Without the ascension, Jesus could not have sent us the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, nor could He operate as the great High Priest who is interceding on our behalf.
The Ascension of Christ is an amazing part of the Gospel that inspires or faith and reminds us of our new missional purpose. It occured 40 days after His resurrection, immediately after He commissioned the disciples for the last time, and only 10 days before the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
The Ascension also serves to keep us focused on the window of opportunity that God has given the Church to proclaim the Gospel of Salvation to our world lost in sin.
Notice that as Jesus ascended into heaven and disappeared from their bewildered gaze, two angels appeared with the message, “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 will return at some unknown point in the future, maybe even today! What are you currently gazing at? Whatever it is, stop gazing and refocus your attention on the person of Christ and the mission He commissioned you with, if you are a disciple. If you aren’t, know this: Jesus will return. Will you be ready to meet Him? Meditate upon this today!
Today's Devotional was contributed by Pastor Wayne Sullivan.
(If you are associated with Ephesus Baptist Church and would like to contribute a devotional to our blog, then send us a devotional of 350 words or less to pastor.ephesusnc@gmail.com)
Read more of our devotions and other articles at our Pastor's Blog!
If you would like to be added to our informational email list, contact us at office.ephesusnc@gmail.com.
Please let us know what you think about today's devotion, or how it has helped you grow spiritually by leaving us a comment on our Facebook page below this devotion. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Please consider helping Ephesus Baptist Church advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of Christ by donating to the mission at ebcspringhope.com/give.
What has captured the gaze of your heart?
New Testament Thursday!
What has captured
the gaze of your heart?
Acts 1:9–11
9 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. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 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.”1
The Ascension of our Lord into heaven was an incredibly important aspect of His earthly ministry. Think about it like this: We needed the Holy Spirit to empower us to complete the mission Jesus has given us in one accord. Without the ascension, Jesus could not have sent us the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, nor could He operate as the great High Priest who is interceding on our behalf.
The Ascension of Christ is an amazing part of the Gospel that inspires or faith and reminds us of our new missional purpose. It occured 40 days after His resurrection, immediately after He commissioned the disciples for the last time, and only 10 days before the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
The Ascension also serves to keep us focused on the window of opportunity that God has given the Church to proclaim the Gospel of Salvation to our world lost in sin.
Notice that as Jesus ascended into heaven and disappeared from their bewildered gaze, two angels appeared with the message, “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 will return at some unknown point in the future, maybe even today! What are you currently gazing at? Whatever it is, stop gazing and refocus your attention on the person of Christ and the mission He commissioned you with, if you are a disciple. If you aren’t, know this: Jesus will return. Will you be ready to meet Him? Meditate upon this today!
Today's Devotional was contributed by Pastor Wayne Sullivan.
(If you are associated with Ephesus Baptist Church and would like to contribute a devotional to our blog, then send us a devotional of 350 words or less to pastor.ephesusnc@gmail.com)
Read more of our devotions and other articles at our Pastor's Blog!
If you would like to be added to our informational email list, contact us at office.ephesusnc@gmail.com.
Please let us know what you think about today's devotion, or how it has helped you grow spiritually by leaving us a comment on our Facebook page below this devotion. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Please consider helping Ephesus Baptist Church advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of Christ by donating to the mission at ebcspringhope.com/give.
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Acts 1:9-11.