At the beginning of this week our daughter, Rishana, had to take a trip to Spokane for work. A couple days before she left she was telling her niece where she was going. Bexlie, not understanding this was just a 2 day trip, whimpered, “But why, Tata? Why would you move to Spokane when I am here?”
I think this is how the disciples must have felt as they stood “looking intently up into the sky” as Jesus “was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:10, 9 NIV).
For 3-½ years they had walked and talked with Him, shared in His ministry, and listened to His words. They’d seen Him heal the demoniacs, raise the dead, walk on water. They’d handed out loaves and fishes when He fed the 5000, baptized people in His name, and rejoiced at His triumphant entry into Jerusalem just a few weeks before. Then, just when it seemed all their hopes were about to be fulfilled, they’d seen Him put on trial, scourged, and crucified on a cross.
The following Sunday, devastated, confused, seemingly abandoned, the disciples had gathered in the upper room, to commiserate together. Suddenly “Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (Luke 20:36 NIV). Hope once again sprung up in their hearts and for the next 40 days they rejoiced at being in His presence.
But now, once again, they’d been abandoned and, like Bexlie, their hearts cried out, “Why? Why would you leave us when we are still here?”
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 1:11)
The disciples had not been abandoned and neither have you, my friend. Just like Rishana returned to Bexlie, “This same Jesus…will come back…” very soon. He has promised, ‘I go and prepare a place for you” and “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3).
Today, as you face the daily challenges of your life, remember you’re not abandoned. A better day is just over the horizon. Hang in there! “This same Jesus” is coming back!