‘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.’

Should we be surprised to read that a group of people who had spent 3 very intense years with Jesus were standing staring into the sky as He ascended to heaven? I don’t think I would have been any different in that moment. After all it’s not every day that we see someone being elevated in such a way so it seems a little unfair to be chastised by the 2 angels who appeared next to them doesn’t it?

The point here is that they had been given a commission, a role to fulfil that meant they didn’t really have the time to stand around gazing into space. Only moments before Jesus had said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” So, they were supposed to be getting on with the job in hand.

The commission stands for us all. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and His power and we are to be His witnesses in Ashill, Watton, Swaffham and to the ends of the earth. We’re not supposed to stand staring into the distant beyond wondering what might be coming next, we’re supposed to be switched on and engaged with the task in hand. As it’s more clearly defined in Matthew 28:19-20, “Making disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Are you ready for that?

***

Application:

Who are you walking with at the moment? Who are you sharing life with who doesn’t yet know the power of the risen Christ? How can you go about sharing the gospel with them? Can you share your own story?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help me to find ways of sharing my faith in You with other people. Give me opportunities and help me to be your witness in my corner of the earth. Amen.