40 Days Later

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

[Ac 1:1-3]

These past 40 days since Easter have been on hyper-drive for me. Time seeming to accelerate and zoom past at sonic speed.

For the same span of time immediately following the Resurrection Jesus taught His disciples. This 40-day crash course on the kingdom of God would prepare them for the miraculous to occur through them. They would be His vessels for the Holy Spirit as instruments to share His salvation to an ever-growing body. Then, on that 40th day, their Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven.

Today's topic of the Ascension is a continuation in my Easter series and is nearing a close for this year.

There are so many questions one can ask of the Ascension. It's so easy to get caught up in the details of the "how" that we get side tracked from simply believing. Imagination and curiosity can become detractors or deterrents from this important foundation to our faith. A lack of details does not diminish truth.

He makes the clouds his chariot

and rides on the wings of the wind.

[Ps 104:3]

I do sometimes visualize Jesus riding on a cloud, His heavenly chariot, returning majestically to glory in a triumphant return as Head of the Church to minister as our Great High Priest. The open arms of a proud, loving Father on the receiving end. The applause of the heavenlies filling the air.

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes,

and a cloud hid him from their sight.

[Ac1:9]

Was being taken up a reassurance of His completion, His victory? Jesus believed in the Father to accomplish His plan. He had confidence in the work and power of the Holy Spirit. Those He prepared would receive power from on high and the teachings He imparted would bear fruit. He was now exalted to reign at the right hand of the Father and make intercession for us until His time of return would come.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [Heb 4:14]

Forty days after celebrating our Risen Lord is a perfect time to pause, yet again, in awe of the miraculous events of the act of salvation bought by Christ, the gift of salvation given in God's grace, and the process of salvation being held and worked out by the Holy Spirit.

Stop now and look to the heavens; praise the Trinity; and give thanks for this marvelous thing They have done.

All praise, honor, and glory belongs to the blessed Trinity. Lord Jesus, I believe You ascended 40 days after Your Resurrection and are now exalted in majesty and crowned in glory. Reign in my heart and in my life as You do in heaven.