Acts 1:1-11
Be still: Lord Jesus, I still my heart as I read. Before I begin, I ask for your Holy Spirit to come upon me. Amen
Read: Acts 1:1-11
'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.' And after he had said these things, he was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took him up, out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while he was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and they said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched him go into heaven.' (v8-11)
Encounter: I find it easier to picture what we read here by comparing it to my fascination with airplanes and flying. I’ve always loved looking up at the sky. There’s something about the sight of a plane carving through the clouds that stirs something in me – a mix of awe, adventure, and longing. Watching a flight reminds me how small we are, and yet how far we can go.
In today’s passage, the disciples are doing what I’ve done so many times – standing still, gazing upwards, watching something disappear into the clouds. Only this time, it’s not a plane… it’s Jesus!
But Jesus isn’t just going away for a while. He’s ascending to his throne. And before he goes, he leaves a promise: 'You will be my witnesses.' Not just where it’s easy or familiar – but everywhere. Even to 'the remotest part of the earth.'
I had the joy of hearing pastor and author Rick Warren speak a couple of years ago. He’s passionate about finishing the Great Commission by reaching every people group. One shared vision is: 'all the church, in all its diversity, doing all Christ commands, with all people, in all places, all for God’s glory – by 2033.'
The Ascension reminds us that faith isn’t passive or sky-gazing. It’s active. Jesus gives us power through the Holy Spirit and sends us out to live boldly – not just with words, but with lives wholly devoted to him. Yes, Jesus will return. But in the meantime, we have skies to stop staring at – and a world that needs to hear about him.
Apply: Where is your 'runway' today: your university, your workplace – your call to mission? Think about where you can take off with the Gospel – in your conversations, your generosity, your presence. Let today be a launch, not a delay.
Devote: Jesus, I love to look to the sky – to dream, to wonder. But don’t let me get stuck with my eyes upward when you’ve called me outward. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and the call to be your witness. Give me courage to live on mission today.