06/02 – Acts 1:1-11 – Ascension like a Funeral

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11

In my first book, Theophilus {th-ee-AW-full-us}, I wrote about what Jesus began to do and teach. This included everything from the beginning of his life until the day he was taken to heaven. Before he was taken to heaven he gave instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles, whom he had chosen.

After his death Jesus showed the apostles many convincing evidences that he was alive. For 40 days he appeared to them and talked with them about God’s kingdom.

Once, while he was meeting with them he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for what the Father had promised. Jesus said to them, “I have told you what the Father promises: John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

So when the apostles came together they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Jesus told them, “You don’t need to know about times or seasons that the Father has determined by his own authority. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he had said this he was taken to heaven. A cloud hid him so that they could no longer see him.

They were staring into the sky as he departed. Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood near them. They asked, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking at the sky? Jesus, who was taken from you to heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven.”

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

I too, have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and your love for all of God’s people. For this reason I never stop thanking God for you. I always remember you in my prayers. I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Christ better. Then you will have deeper insight. You will know the confidence that he calls you to have, and the glorious wealth that God’s people will inherit.

You will also know the unlimited greatness of his power as it works with might and strength for us, the believers. He worked with that same power in Christ when he brought him back to life and gave him the honored position, the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and all other names that can be named, not only in this present world, but also in the world to come. God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the Church. The Church is Christ’s body, and completes him as he fills everything in every way.

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:44-53

Jesus said to [the apostles], “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you. I told you that everything written about me in Moses’ Teachings, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

He said to them, “The Scriptures say the Messiah would suffer, and that he would come back to life on the third day. Scripture also says that by the authority of Jesus people would be told to turn to God and change the way they think and act, so their sins will be forgiven. This would be told to people from all nations, beginning in the city of Jerusalem. You are witnesses to these things.

I am sending you what my Father promised. Wait here in the city until you receive power from heaven.” Then Jesus took them to a place near Bethany. There he raised his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken to heaven. The disciples worshiped him and were overjoyed as they went back to Jerusalem. They were always in the Temple, where they praised God.