Ascension Day
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
By the way, today is Ascension Day!
Saying goodbye can be so very sad and even painful at times. When the Lord called me to preach the Gospel many years ago He asked me, in my heart, three questions. The first one was:
“Are you prepared to be a fool for me?”
Well, I said, “Lord, that is easy. I am a fool anyway.”
Then the second question:
“Are you prepared for people to say all manner of evil about you, for My Name’s sake?”
I said, “Yes, Lord, I am prepared to do that.”
Then the third question I struggled with:
“Are you prepared to see less of your family for My Name’s sake?” (Because He was calling me to go into all the world and preach the Gospel).
I said, “Lord, only by Your grace.”
I struggled with that one - You see as a farmer, every night when the sun went down I came home to the same house and the same bed and to be with my family. Now, I am sleeping in strange beds, eating different food, dealing with jet lag, sitting in departure lounges waiting for the plane to come. But the good news is that Jesus Christ has promised us that He is coming back. He has not abandoned us. He hasn’t left us for good and in fact, His return is very soon. The signs are evident everywhere and He is coming back the way He left. That is what the Bible tells us - On the clouds. That is why we as believers are known as cloud-watchers... It may be today, who knows?
Hebrews 13:5 is a beautiful scripture: Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
He has given us His Holy Spirt, the Comforter, to be with us until His return. But I want to say to you, look up because our redemption draws very near.
Have a blessed and precious Ascension Day.