The disciples are trying to put it all together: Jesus died, raised to life again, and now what?  Jesus tells them to stay in Jerusalem until he sends them the Holy Spirit.  And then something very unusual happens.  After this promise to send the Holy Spirit, he ‘ascends’ into the clouds.

Read the end of the Gospel of Luke (24:36-53) and the beginning of the Book of Acts (1:1-11).  Its believed that the disciple Luke wrote both of these Biblical books.  He writes in Acts 1:4, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.”  And then he was “taken up before their eyes.”

What does Jesus ascension into heaven mean?  Why did Jesus leave the disciples again?  What was God’s master plan in all of this?  I suspect the answer is in Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Somehow, someway, Jesus ascension is connected to the sending of his Holy Spirit in fulfilling God’s purpose for the world through his people, the church.  Lots to unpack here.  Is Jesus ‘outta here’? Or is he just getting started!  Jesus Ascension: What does it mean?  Luke 24:36-53 and Acts 1:1-11

See you Sunday,
Pastor Mark