May 16, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for May 16th: Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Theme: Ascension – Jesus goes up to heaven Luke: Sometimes we don’t truly understand what someone is trying to tell us until they are no longer available to us. Perhaps this was God’s plan for sending Jesus into our lives all along. Jesus appeared to his disciples during the Easter season to help them to understand that the story was not over. But Jesus knew that as long as he was with them, they would look to him for answers. If they saw him ascend into heaven, they would remember all that he said, but they would also put their own faith into action. This is one more talk with the disciples before he goes. He tells them what to do, but he also tells the Holy Spirit what they will need to continue through. The words of Christ live on forever in the hearts of those who follow him. Acts: This is another version of the Ascension story – written by the same person, but for a very different reason. These are not words for the Holy Spirit, but words for the disciples. Luke once again tells how Jesus appeared after the resurrection. How Jesus brought them to the mountain with him, and then he went into heaven. Of course the disciples want to witness every moment of this event. Then ending is humorous, but helpful – two angels ask the disciples why they are looking up in the sky for nothing. Jesus is in the work here on earth that they are about to do, not in the cloud. So get you head out of the clouds. Good advice for us as well. Questions: Where do you look for Jesus today? Where do you find Jesus in today’s world? Who in your life, who has passed on, but you remember their words daily? How can we continue that work of the disciples?