The Ascension Window at Hope Episcopal Church, Manheim, PA
The Gospel of Luke 24:44-53
Jesus said to his disciples, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you– that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
I included Acts 1:1-11 as it helps complete the Gospel of the Ascension.
Let us Pray: – Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate His ascension, we rejoice in the promise of His eternal reign. May His presence fill our hearts with hope and joy. Amen.
As Christians, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of our faith. However, it is important to reflect on what happened after His resurrection and what it means for our lives. Jesus’ ascension into heaven is a moment in history that is often overlooked, but its significance is undeniable. In this passage, Jesus meets with His disciples and explains how His life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. He then tells them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them, as they have been appointed to be His witnesses to the world. It’s important to note that Jesus’ ascension into heaven marks the end of His physical presence on earth. He had completed His mission, and now it was up to the disciples and future believers to continue spreading the Good News of His Gospel. In essence, the ascension of Jesus was the beginning of the Church.
The Significance of Jesus’ Ascension: The ascension of Jesus into heaven holds much significance for our faith and lives as believers. Jesus is Lord over all When Jesus ascended into heaven, He was seated at the right hand of God the Father. This act signifies that Jesus is Lord over all creation, and He has the authority to rule over our lives. Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, guide, and teacher who empowers us to live a Christ-centered life and fulfill the will of God. The ascension of Jesus reminds us of His promise to return. Just as He went into heaven, He will return to earth one day to establish His kingdom.
So how does the Ascension Impact Our Lives: The ascension of Jesus impacts our lives in profound ways that we may not even realize. It gives us hope for the future, a deep sense of purpose and direction, and the reassurance that we are never alone. The ascension of Jesus gives us hope for the future. As believers, we know that one day, Jesus will return and establish His kingdom on earth. This gives us the assurance that no matter what happens in this world, God has a plan, and everything will be made right. Jesus instructed His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. This command provides us with a sense of purpose and direction in our lives. We are called to share the Good News of Jesus and make a positive impact on the world. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a Christ-centered life and fulfill the will of God. We can trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance and leading as we navigate life’s challenges. The ascension of Jesus is a vital event in the history of Christianity. It marks the end of Jesus’ physical presence on earth and the beginning of the Church. It gives us hope for the future, a sense of purpose, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live according to God’s will. As we reflect on Luke 24:44-53, let us remember the significance of this event and strive to live our lives in a way that honors Jesus Christ. Let us Pray: O God, as Christ ascended, He called us to be His witnesses. Lead us in wisdom and truth, that we may live according to Your will and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 