Original Broadcast: January 2009
Monthly Theme: Jesus' Exaltation (Apostles' Creed)
And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.
(Acts 1:9)
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!
For forty days after He rose from the dead, Jesus continued to appear to His disciples. On the fortieth day, there was a bit of difference in the appearance. Well, maybe not in the appearance but definitely in the withdrawing from His disciples. He was talking and all of a sudden this cloud comes along underneath His feet and lifts Him up into the air.
Many churches have a statue of the risen Jesus with His arms extended in a blessing. These statues are based on the ancient tradition that Jesus was blessing His disciples as He was taken up into Heaven and Luke just doesn't record the words. It's a very comforting pose so that we might be given comfort. After all, Jesus had just told them not too much earlier, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
Jesus is with you as you go through your days on this earth. Although He physically ascended into Heaven, His Spirit dwells in His saints throughout the world so that the work of His Church may be done. That work continues until He returns again. More on that next time. Amen.
