He’s got power!

Acts 1:10-11

“They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’”

How should we think about Jesus’ return? 1Thessalonians 4:18 (and 5:11) each tell us that we should use last-day truths to encourage each other. Jesus one time said, “lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near!” In other words, God wants us to eagerly look forward to the Last Day, eagerly look forward to Jesus’ return!

The ascension account helps us to understand why: Jesus will return the way he left! In other words, the clouds will “lift” so we can see him with our eyes again! His hands will be up in blessing! We’ll see those glorious nail scars on those risen-from-the-dead hands! It will be great! So, yes, keep looking up into the sky, eagerly!

But keep one eye on this earth, too. Why so? There’s gospel-work to yet be done! Serve Jesus! Serve Jesus’ people! Serve those who do not yet know Jesus! And do so with joy, knowing that someday Jesus will be returning!

Looking forward to that day, just like you,

pastor