Imagine standing atop a hill overlooking Jerusalem, the air charged with a curious mix of excitement and uncertainty.
The disciples had walked closely with Jesus through the depths of despair at His crucifixion and the unimaginable joy of His resurrection.
Now, forty days later, here He stood.
The resurrected Jesus radiates a kind of quiet glory—both familiar and profoundly mysterious.
A question danced silently between each of the disciples:
Suddenly, someone broke the silence. “Master,” they asked hesitantly, "is this the moment you restore the kingdom to Israel? Is now the time?" (Acts 1:6)
They wondered aloud what everyone secretly hoped—that Jesus would march down from this hillside, topple Caesar, and restore their beloved nation to the glorious days of King David.
But Jesus, with a gentle smile, redirected their gaze from earthly kingdoms to heavenly realities.
His revolution wasn't political—it was spiritual, a profound upheaval of the human heart and soul.
He assured them of something even better than a political victory: the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, with a glint in his eye and earnestness in His voice, gave His followers, and each of us, a commission:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Then, while He was still speaking, something extraordinary happened.
Jesus began to ascend, slowly, steadily, His feet leaving the earth and lifting effortlessly toward the sky.
The disciples watched, eyes wide, mouths agape, as He rose higher and higher until a cloud gently embraced Him, and He vanished from their sight.
The awe-filled silence hung heavy in the air, only broken by the gentle words of angels reassuring them that Jesus would one day return just as miraculously as He had departed.
CONSIDER THIS:
Do you know that Jesus isn’t distant from you and your problems? Rather, through His Spirit, He is closer to you than you are to yourself.
It’s easy to imagine the disciples initially feeling abandoned, but Jesus’ ascension wasn’t an act of departure—it was the ultimate promise of presence.
He assured them, and us, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
His ascension means that He isn’t confined to one time, one place, or one nationality. Instead, His Spirit dwells powerfully within every believer, wherever they might go.
Jesus left to prepare a place for us—a heavenly home, yes, but also to remind us that heaven isn't just a distant place we go after death. Heaven comes near every time God's character shines through our lives.
When love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control pour from our actions… heaven touches earth.
Today, let's remember that Jesus' ascension wasn't His farewell; it was His guarantee of ever-present power, purpose, and intimacy.
