5-20-2021

 Good Morning All!

     Acts 1:10-11; “And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

    I have always wondered, “how long?”  How long did the disciples stand there and look to the sky?  They had just spent their last minutes with Jesus and while he was speaking, Jesus began to rise until he was out of sight, hidden by a cloud.  How long did the stand there and look upward? Perhaps, they were hoping for one last glimpse or that he was returning right away, and they wanted to see it.  How long did they stand there?  Long enough for two angels to come and tell them to, “move along now.”  So, they did as Jesus told them; go to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

    The disciples did as they were told and soon, they were proclaiming boldly the truth of Jesus and his saving resurrection for us, the gift of the forgiveness of sins, the promise of eternal life, in fact, a whole new life awaited them.  They hurried because they thought Jesus was going to return in a few months or even days.  They may have even stopped and looked to the sky to see if today was the day of Jesus’ return.  They went about their task, but they looked to the sky, hoping for Jesus.

    Today, many forget the promise of Jesus’ return and what that means to us as Christians.  It means an end to pain and suffering, death, and sorrow.  It means that the struggles and battles of today will end.  We are not defined by our mere existence here on earth, but we have a greater and more glorious life that we are part of and can savor in now; we only have to look up.

    The devil wants to keep us focused down and looking at the troubles, pains, sorrow and struggles of this earthly life.  He wants you to focus on the battle; Jesus wants you to focus on the victory that Jesus attained for us on the cross, at the tomb and in the sky.  We are only waiting for THAT day, that glorious day when Jesus returns.

    So, when the days are long, the battle is fierce, and you feel yourself getting weary; look up and remember that Jesus is going to return and everything that is not part of Christ will be swept away.  Sin, death, and the devil will be completely destroyed.  Tears of sorrow and suffering, pain and injustice, oppression will end.  Each tear will be dried, and perfect joy will be our destiny.  We will live in God’s perfect kingdom for eternity.  So, when the fight is tough, look up!!  Jesus is coming!!  He is our hope.

Father of mercy, send your Spirit that we may always be a people who look up and want Jesus.  Keep us strong in our faith and secure in our hope.  Keep our eyes ever lifted and focusing on Jesus.  Strengthen us in the daily struggles of this life and bring us safely home.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen!

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret