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.”
After reading these verses I looked them up to read some commentary. The message I got was pretty consistently the same: Don’t just stand there. Do something! Jesus really did not intend for his followers to stand around and wait for Him to return. He had given them very important work to do. The very fact that Jesus will return lights a fire in us to accomplish as much as we can, both spiritually and actively. The following prayer (heartlight.org) says this beautifully, and I offer it to God this morning.
Forgive us, O God, for wasting the time you have given us. We waste it on arguing and debating. We squander it on frivolous things that don't matter. We even get caught up in chasing spiritual ideas to the point that we don't get much done spiritually. I want to hear the echo of the angels' voices when I begin to waste my time on useless endeavors. Remind me, Spirit of the living God, to quit looking into the sky. Help me hear the angels and get back to the mission that you have for me. I ask this through Jesus. Amen. (Prayer from heartlight.org)
Becky, transforming
Acts 1:10-11
I find these verses difficult so I tried to put myself into the story. The absolute amazement and sadness I would have felt watching Jesus leave again cannot be described. There had been so many emotions those last weeks. Such fear, such sadness, then amazement and joy at his return and now this. He leaves again. I would have been paralyzed into inaction at first. That is why the two men are part of the story. We needed to be reminded that now they (and I) have a job to do—regroup with the others and plan. And this they did.
Prayer: Gracious God, your stories are often mysterious and hard to understand. I will do my best …
Thursday, July 11th, 2024
Acts 1:10-11
And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
men robed in white stood with those who stared as Jesus ascended. Perhaps the two men were present to comfort them because their master and teacher, their traveling companion would no longer be present in the flesh, on earth. Yet, the two men do not pacify them; they redirect their gaze toward earth, toward their future lifes. We are bor…
Dear Becky I wanted to wish you special birthday wishes as you enjoy your special day in Boston with your beloved family. Enjoy every single minute of this your special day 💗💯🎂
Acts 1: 10-11
The prayer Becky posted against the backdrop of today’s verse reminded me of a headline I saw yesterday. I did not read the article, but perhaps should have. It was “America’s Spiritual Revolution: Why Americans are Leaving Christianity and Finding Other Options” Other options? The angels at Christ’s Ascension told those who witnessed it, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way.” Those here when that happens may be shocked to find their worship of nature, crystals, social activism or some vague sense of “spirituality” were not “options” at all when it comes to eternal life. This should be a call to action for believers. and not…