A Promise to Be Fulfilled

“Now while He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’ “ -Acts 1:9-11 (NKJV)

When we consider the context of the scripture Luke records in Acts 1:9-11, we need to review some of what the disciples experienced in this period of their lives.

They had been present as the tension in Jerusalem grew at the time of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Although the Master had told them to expect the worst, they did not know what He meant. Peter had gone through the terrible denial, predicted by Christ but nevertheless devastating to Peter when he committed it. Then came the death of their Lord, so cruel, so humiliating. Some of them, at least, were present, watching the terrible proceedings, suffering untold agony themselves. There followed three days of desolation and mourning. Jesus their Leader was dead. All seemed hopeless. And then came the resurrection, which they had great difficulty believing. His appearances to them, His talking with them, and His giving the Great Commission before they saw Him ascend into heaven were remarkable and encouraging, but how could they go on without Jesus’ physical presence with them? How shaken up was their world! I can imagine being there myself and reacting to all of the events they had experienced.

Then two men in shining apparel appeared to them. Their message was two-fold: “Why do you stand here, gazing up into heaven?” As if to say, this inaction, this gazing up will bring no purpose to your mission. And then: “Jesus…will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” As if to say: “Didn’t He promise you that He would return?” The heavenly beings brought the disciples down to earth again.

The disciples moved from the Mount of Ascension and went back to Jerusalem to wait and pray and get ready for the great manifestation of the Spirit which would propel them forth to the work Christ had assigned them to do. And to look forward to His Second Coming. They would not forget this promise! Praise be to God.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Friday, April 9, 2010