They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:10-11
In late December of 1999, I tearfully gave my best friend a hug and said, “Until we meet again.” We’d been through a lot over the past several years and had so much in common. We were truly like brothers.
As I got in my car and pulled out of his driveway that morning, all I could think about was what my life might look like without him. I continued watching him wave through my rearview mirror until I could no longer see him. Even though the future held so much promise with my family’s relocation to the Northeast, I still remember it being one of the saddest days in my life. As my wife rubbed my shoulder to comfort me, she said, “I’m sure you’ll see him again one day.” This would eventually prove true, although at the time it did very little to cheer me up. Life would never be the same without him.
Every time I read Luke’s account of Jesus ascending to heaven to return to his Father, I can’t help but remember that day when I had to say goodbye to my dear friend.
Even though the disciples knew they would be with Jesus again one day, I wonder if they felt a similar sadness watching him ascend into heaven? Obviously they were in complete awe as they watched this supernatural event unfold before their very eyes. But I wonder if maybe they were like me, wondering what life might look like without their friend by their side? Tearfully waving as they strained their eyes to see him until he was no longer there?
My wife was my angel that day for me. “Hey, look on the bright side. You still have me and the kids! We’ve got a whole new life waiting for us.” She was right, of course. She usually is.
It’s also true that the disciples weren’t alone. Jesus had told them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about” (Acts 1:4). This precious gift was Jesus himself. Not only would they feel his presence, but he would live inside each of them. Not only did they have those memories to share with others, but they literally had Jesus making a home inside their hearts.
It’s been years now since I last saw my friend. I still think about him from time to time. We share Christmas cards and once in a blue moon the occasional text or phone call. But I don’t think about him nearly as much as I used to, and I’m sure it’s the same with him. Many years have passed since our days together. Life goes on, as they say.
The two angels that appeared to the disciples as Jesus was ascending – they were sent by God not only to comfort them, but to remind them that a new chapter awaited them too. “Men of Galileee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
“This same Jesus.” This is such an important distinction. The same Jesus who called you; this same Jesus who loved you; the same Jesus who showed you who God is and His will for your life; the same Jesus who gave his life for you. Someday you will be with this same Jesus again!
And isn’t it interesting that even though Jesus was literally ascending to be with His Father, the disciples continued receiving instruction. Why do you stand here looking in the sky? Have I not commissioned you to continue my work?
The angels’ words were also God’s words to us. “Don’t just stand there. Do something!”
Former Blackout Artist 