A Word from God's Word . . .

5/14 – “He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3 – ESV) Knowing that He would soon be leaving His disciples in His visible form, Jesus wanted them to be absolutely certain that He had indeed risen from the dead, so He appeared to them in different ways during the 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension. He knew the mission He was entrusting to them would be very challenging at times, so there could be no uncertainty in their minds at all.

5/15 – “While staying with them, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem…’for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” (Acts 1:4a, 5 – ESV) On one occasion when He appeared to His disciples, Jesus promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit – the occasion which we now call Pentecost. That “baptism” would give them the courage and strength to carry out the Lord’s commission He gave them.

5/16 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 – ESV) On another occasion with His disciples, Jesus explained further the work He was entrusting to them. The disciples, of course, are no longer on this earth – so upon whom, do you think, does this responsibility to witness now fall? Yes, we are His present-day witnesses.

5/17 – “Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51 – ESV) This is Luke’s account of Jesus’ ascension – which we observe today - the day He removed His visible presence from the earth. But we know, from other statements of Jesus, that He is still with us in His invisible presence. What a comfort in this sin-filled world of ours!