The Ascension: Luke 24:50-53
“50) And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51) While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52) And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53) and were continually in the temple praising God.” Luke 24:50-53
It is called “The Ascension.” Jesus departed by bodily being lifted up into heaven. As He was blessing them, He parted from them.
Luke also wrote the book of Acts. He records this event in greater detail in Acts 1:9-11. Let’s quickly look at these verses.
“9) And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10) And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11) They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”” According to the Acts account, the last thing Jesus spoke to them about was the charge to carry the gospel to the whole world in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Vs 6-8) As He was giving this blessing them, He was lifted up into the sky and a cloud received Him from their sight.
Two angels immediately appeared to them and spoke of His return. Every New Testament text dealing with His second coming includes the language of clouds accompanying His return. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
In the Acts account, Luke stressed that He “will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
In the meanwhile, we are in the church age defined by the indwelling and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our mission is world evangelization. We are in the age of signs and wonders given to validate the gospel message. (See Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:4)
Every born again and Spirit filled believer is called to be actively involved in this mission until Jesus returns. Jesus will not return until the gospel is carried to every nation, tribe and tongue. (Revelation 5:9; 14;6)
Herein is defined our calling and purpose “in Christ.” This is the mission of every local church. To the degree that you embrace world evangelization both locally and globally you will experience the power and glory of God in your life.
With the book of Luke now ended, the next natural reading would be the book of Acts. I highly encourage you to study the book of Acts next. This will give you a picture of how Jesus wants to work in and through His church around the world.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“50) And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51) While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52) And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53) and were continually in the temple praising God.” Luke 24:50-53
It is called “The Ascension.” Jesus departed by bodily being lifted up into heaven. As He was blessing them, He parted from them.
Luke also wrote the book of Acts. He records this event in greater detail in Acts 1:9-11. Let’s quickly look at these verses.
“9) And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10) And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11) They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”” According to the Acts account, the last thing Jesus spoke to them about was the charge to carry the gospel to the whole world in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Vs 6-8) As He was giving this blessing them, He was lifted up into the sky and a cloud received Him from their sight.
Two angels immediately appeared to them and spoke of His return. Every New Testament text dealing with His second coming includes the language of clouds accompanying His return. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
In the Acts account, Luke stressed that He “will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
In the meanwhile, we are in the church age defined by the indwelling and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our mission is world evangelization. We are in the age of signs and wonders given to validate the gospel message. (See Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:4)
Every born again and Spirit filled believer is called to be actively involved in this mission until Jesus returns. Jesus will not return until the gospel is carried to every nation, tribe and tongue. (Revelation 5:9; 14;6)
Herein is defined our calling and purpose “in Christ.” This is the mission of every local church. To the degree that you embrace world evangelization both locally and globally you will experience the power and glory of God in your life.
With the book of Luke now ended, the next natural reading would be the book of Acts. I highly encourage you to study the book of Acts next. This will give you a picture of how Jesus wants to work in and through His church around the world.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
