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Jesus' ascension
Why are class reunions fun? Certainly part of it is seeing people whom you
haven't seen for a while - and seeing how they've changed! Without fail
there's a person or two whom you don't recognize, because they just don't
look the way they used to look. It's true - we tend to remember people the
way they looked the last time we saw them.
So what's the last "sight" that the disciples saw of Jesus? It
happened like this.
After Jesus' rose from his grave, he spent some time with his disciples, but
not a lot of time. He would appear, spend some time with them, and then he'd
allow them to "be on their own" for several days. This went on for
forty days.
When those 40 days were over, Jesus took the disciples to the Mount of
Olives, just outside of Jerusalem. There, "He lifted up his hands and
blessed them." What would the disciples see on those hands? Why of
course - the nail marks from the crucifixion.
Then, while he was blessing them, "He was taken up before their very
eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." Can you imagine? All of a
sudden he just goes up into the sky! What power!
And notice, the account doesn't say that he eventually got so far away that
they couldn't see him. Rather, the cloud covered him, so that - even though
they could no longer see him with their eyes - he was still there.
Now remember - this was the last time the disciples would see Jesus, so this
was the sight which would stick with them. Do you think it would help them?
Well, think of all the truths of which Jesus reminded them. By ascending up
into the sky, Jesus reminded them that he's all-powerful, that he rules all
things. The hands up, in blessing, reminded them that he rules everything.
Also, he will always have their best interests in mind. The fact that the
cloud covered him reminded them that he really was with them, always. And
don't forget the nail marks, the proof that the disciples' sins were
forgiven, and because of that, that they'd spend an eternity with Jesus in heaven.
Do you think all that would have helped the disciples as they faced the days
ahead? Oh, I'm sure! And certainly that "sight" of Jesus lifts our
spirits too.
But there's one more point about Jesus' ascension, a point which we'd hate to
miss. We'll hit it on the next page!
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