After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 1:9
Luke was a physician (Colossians 4:14) and wrote with an attention to detail. Details are important when life and death can hang in the balance, so it’s crucial to know the facts. Luke’s goal with his first letter was to write “about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven” (Acts 1:1–2). This final event is popularly referred to as Jesus’ ascension.
Did you know to whom Luke wrote the book of Acts (as well as his Gospel account)? It was a man named Theophilus (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). Naturally, we are also beneficiaries of the information and wisdom shared therein. I just wanted to share that little fact with you because Luke ties the two books together for Theophilus (and us) in the first 11 verses of Acts. He gives us a few more nuggets of information as it pertains to our study of the incredible window of time from Passover to Pentecost.
Just prior to leaving, Jesus spent a period of 40 days after the resurrection appearing to and fellowshipping with the believers (Acts 1:3). We have looked at specific moments from this time period over the last week, so contemplate again how crucial it was for Jesus to establish the fact that He had indeed risen from the dead.
Now, Jesus was with them one final time near Bethany. He told them once more that the Holy Spirit would be bestowed after His heaven-going. In His final words, the disciples were given their marching orders to take His message of salvation to the ends of the earth. The Holy Spirit would give them the power to do so.
Instead, what the disciples said demonstrated that they were more interested in Jesus being the literal conqueror of Israel’s foes than the spiritual defeater of death. They were confusing His First Coming with the Second. That day will come, but only the Father knows when.
And just like that, Jesus was gone. Luke concludes the story of the ascension in Acts 1:1–11 by mentioning “two men dressed in white” who stood before them and reminded them that Jesus would indeed return one day. We will look at the Second Coming as this devotional journey is finishing up.
I want to close today by encouraging you to start one great habit if you aren’t already doing so. Luke’s attention to detail is a great reminder to write down what God has done in your life. A spiritual journal may be the most important record you ever keep. Try to document your requests and answered prayers at least once a week. Then, in times of trouble or blessing, you can look back and be reminded of all that He has done.
