Sunday after Ascension
June 1, 2025
“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:50–53, NIV84)
In his second inspired book, the Acts (of the Apostles), Luke is more detailed in his telling what happened at the ascension of Jesus into heaven. Here he simply states that Jesus “was taken up into heaven.”
Luke jumps from the day of the resurrection to the ascension, leaving John to tell more about the 40 day interval. Jesus had previously told his disciples “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”(Luke 24:46–49, NIV84) How many times had he already told them that before it happened – and they still didn’t remember! But that is our human nature to forget, to not remember what we have learned. We, too, must search the Scriptures to refresh our memories about Jesus.
But they were to be witnesses of all they had heard and seen. After he was gone, they joyfully waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised.
Prayer
O King of Glory, Lord of hosts, who ascended in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not comfortless, but send to us the Spirit of Truth, promised by the Father; O thou who with the Father and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns, ever one God, forever and ever. Amen
