Acts 1:9-10 (ESV)
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 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.”
At the tender age of 19, I was full of hopes and walking into adulthood, I met Jesus and was told the story above. Indeed, this story is glorious beyond words. Until now, I still grapple with such a spectacular sight. The thought of it still overwhelms me. Every time I read this portion of the bible, I ask for a greater glimpse of that incredible essence. My human mind cannot compute the entire scenario. It must be full of thrill and aroused elation in the whole atmosphere. If this would take place now, all the smart phones will be up in the air to catch it and with a touch turned viral.
It must be a jaw dropping moment. Gazing into the vast sky is such a wondrous sight for any given normal days. Imagine – this! They looked up and saw him being “carried up”, according to Luke 24. Can we envision that scene? Moreover, the cloud enveloped him and they saw him no more. It is a very difficult concept for our limited human mind. Pretty much out of this world. Sounds like some immortal Chinese characters in ancient plays which are just myths. No matter what our mind debates, this is a fact. Luke tells us that his disciples went back with great joy after witnessing this phenomenal event. That great joy was a testament to their eager expectations of his promised great return, as spelled out in verse 11. It says, “…will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
His disciples then were enthusiastically waiting. Who would not anticipate his return with much eagerness if they had seen with their own eyes how he was taken up?! I try to place myself in that scene every single time and still grapple with this mind boggling concept. I couldn’t understand how this whole world is set to witness his return then. Perhaps now I can ruminate better being in a digital era.
If the disciples were exhilarated in seeing him go up, what more should we be filled with eager expectancy of his glorious return? The welcoming back party ought to be even more celebrative. I cannot say I had always felt this way. To arrive at this point and still growing in this excitement derived from the consuming love of Christ in my life. The longing of his second coming is a product of that steady gradual love yielded through time. It’s the constant lure of eternal call to look beyond the now. The focus encapsulated in the richness of his love. An abstract concept which demands much keen attention and deep devotion for the Lover of our soul. How much we look forward to his return depends on how much Jesus has gotten our attention and devotion!
Expect eagerly!
Expect the extraordinary!
Envision eternity!
Think and pray:
Are you anticipating his return?
What are some thoughts and emotions that run through your mind and heart as you think of his return?
How are you preparing for his return?
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 4 May 2020