As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. Luke 24:51 NABRE
Luke is bringing the story of his gospel to a close. Jesus appears to His disciples and eats with them. Then they go out toward Bethany, a town near Jerusalem. Jesus blessed His disciples and then He is parted from them being taken up into heaven. The disciples paid homage to Jesus and returned to Jerusalem. We read they stayed in and around the temple from that point on. We refer to this moment as the Ascension. Jesus has completed what he has come to do. He must return to His Father and as He leaves Jesus sends the Holy Spirit that we may each have new life. In the past there was death but now because of Jesus, death is defeated and everything is new and beautiful. We read, “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) With the Holy Spirit we receive fruit to guide our new life; “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) Filled with the Holy Spirit, none of the disciples are surprised as they see Jesus ascend, they immediately begin the ministry He left in their hands.
Essentially Jesus came to make a new world. A world where people live for one another rather than for themselves. Jesus came so that we can have a better life and that we be part of making a better life for others. We aren’t judge and a voice of condemnation. We should open ourselves up to the fruit of the Spirit and spread Jesus message of love through our life. After all we are the only ones who can do it now that He has ascended and sits with His Father.
Do you open yourself daily to the fruit of the Spirit? Are you spreading Jesus message of love through your life?
Essentially Jesus came to make a new world. A world where people live for one another rather than for themselves. Jesus came so that we can have a better life and that we be part of making a better life for others. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus#christianity #dailybibleverse@youversion #BeAnEncourager#ascend #love #Luke#everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist#jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #thisVineyard#youversion #everythingalways