While he was blessing them, he left them. He was taken up into heaven.
1. Jesus, Son of God stayed with his disciples for 40 days after he rose from the dead.
2. He opened their minds to understand what the Bible said about him as the Christ, many years before he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
3. Jesus promised his followers that he would send the Holy Spirit to give them the wisdom and power they needed to continue sharing God’s love and good news with others.
4. He then ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father.
5. Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead.
TO PONDER: Ask God for His grace to hear His WORD for each of us.
Imagine the JOY that Jesus’ mother and the disciples felt to be with the resurrected Jesus.
Ponder in wonder: God had his divine Son’s mission on earth all planned from the start!
Be Still and gaze on the icon of Jesus. Is he drawing us into His Kingdom now and forever?
PRAYER: Almighty God, your Son our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven: May our hearts and minds also ascend to be continually with Jesus who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Going Deeper:
Luke 24:44-53 ( PRACTICE FINDING and READING this passage in your own Bible!)
44 Jesus said to his disciples: “This is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must come true.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written. The Messiah will suffer. He will rise from the dead on the third day. 47 His followers will preach in his name. They will tell others to turn away from their sins and be forgiven. People from every nation will hear it, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You have seen these things with your own eyes. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised. But for now, stay in the city. Stay there until you have received power from heaven.”
Jesus Is Taken Up Into Heaven
50 Jesus led his disciples out to the area near Bethany. Then he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them. He was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him. With great joy, they returned to Jerusalem. 53 Every day they went to the temple, praising God.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
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