AND THAT WAS THAT

AND THAT WAS THAT!

Matt 28:16-20

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Acts 1:8-11

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

           Yesterday was Easter and all the excitement of the day has left us grappling for what to do next. The eleven remaining apostles were no different. Matthew 28 gives them a command to go into a mountain in Galilee for final instructions before Jesus returned to the Father. Acts chapter one picks up where Matthew left off.

           The ascension left them so dumfounded that angels had to break the spell. There they stood gazing up into heaven where their eyes had seen their Master rise toward heaven and disappear. And that was that! What were they to do now?

           Two things remained after the resurrection. They were to witness in ever expanding circles of influence. First in Jerusalem then in Judea and Samaria and ultimately the uttermost parts of the world. Next they were to wait on the Lord to return.

Dear Lord, it is hard to break our gaze from your departure. We miss you and need your presence. Give us the grace and strength to both witness and wait. AMEN