Ascension Day: Jesus Now in Heaven
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
1 Theophilus, I first wrote to you about all that Jesus did and taught from the very first 2 until he was taken up to heaven. But before he was taken up, he gave orders to the apostles he had chosen with the help of the Holy Spirit. 3 For 40 days after Jesus had suffered and died, he proved in many ways that he had been raised from death. He appeared to his apostles and spoke to them about God's kingdom. 4 While he was still with them, he said: Don't leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do. 5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 6 While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?” 7 Jesus said to them, “You don't need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” 9 After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, 10 but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. 11 They said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way you have seen him go.”
Acts 1:1-11
Memory Verse
Acts 1:10b-11
10 but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. 11 They said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way you have seen him go.”
In Acts 1, we read about the last moments of Jesus’ time on earth. He told his disciples what he wanted them to do next, and then he left. Why did Jesus have to leave? What could be good about Jesus going?
God the Creator had a plan. From the beginning, God had planned to welcome us into his life as his children. The Bible says “Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him…to be God’s own adopted children” (Ephesians 1:4-5). To do this, Jesus, the Son of God, came to us, lived, taught, suffered, died, was buried, and rose again. Then Jesus ascended into heaven. That’s God’s entire plan. But how does Jesus’ departure bring us into God’s family? It feels like we’re only separated, right?
Think about this: Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father, which means a human being is living face to face with the Father forever. That’s right. Jesus, who has DNA strands, blood, a digestive system, and a nose, now lives in heaven and communicates with God the Father for us. This is Jesus’ ministry happening right now. Jesus is King, and from his throne, he pours out his blessings.
So what do we do now? In Acts 1, the story ended with two angels asking, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky?” It’s time for us to get to work and be the hands and feet of Jesus on earth. So don’t hesitate—ask your friend and brother, the King of all things, to pour out his gifts! What do you need to live your faith today? Ask Jesus for it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your plan to send Jesus to bring us into your family. Thank you, King Jesus Christ, that you died, were raised to life, and now sit at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. Jesus, pour out your gifts on us so that we can be your hands and feet on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.Related Resources
Ron VandenBurg
Senior Producer of Children’s Ministry at ReFrame Ministries
Ron VandenBurg joined the ReFrame Ministries team in 2014. He plans and develops projects specifically for the spiritual formation of children. Before coming to ReFrame, Ron taught middle-school for 27 years. Ron completed a M. Ed. degree in Teaching, Learning and Development at Brock University. Ron and Rachel have three fantastic adult children and one grandchild and reside in Ontario.