Sunday after Ascension
May 12, 2024
(Acts 1:6-11 NIV) "So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But 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." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 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.""
Mankind wants to know. We are searching for answers to all sorts of things. As a race we want to know about our origins and what we can expect in the future. Worldwide, we are spending billions of dollars seeking to know how all things got started. But no theories can start with nothing. Something had to start all things, be it a “big bang” or whatever. However, God tells us that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 NIV) That is answer enough for God’s children.
And each of us would like to know about our end. We cannot know when the end will come. All we know for sure is that Jesus Christ will come again at a moment unknown to man and unknowable to any man. If death doesn’t take us from this place of tears, Jesus will come on the day of judgment and for all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior from all their sins, God "will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
As God’s children, we place our lives, every moment of every day, in his hand, trusting he will care for us on earth and finally take us to be with himself in heaven. Lord, strengthen our faith that we may cling firmly to this fact!
Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, make us to always have a devout will toward Thee and to serve Thee with a pure heart. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord. Amen
