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Meditation
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Reader,
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Today, we'll copy out the second half of Luke's recap for Theophilus of Jesus' appearances to the disciples after the resurrection.
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Copying out large sections of scripture over a number of days reveals new layers to familiar passages while highlighting themes that deepen our faith.
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For me, these passages stand out for the clarity of the mission Jesus gives his followers. His discussions with them are clear marching orders. He proves that all scripture points to him, he proves his physical resurrection, and states clearly what they are now to do.
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It is now over to the disciples, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to take up the commission to bring the name of Jesus to every tribe, tongue, and nation.
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The confusion that attended the crucifixion has given way to absolute clarity of mission.
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Today's text is Acts 1:7β11
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
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3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
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4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: βDo not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
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5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.β 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, βLord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?β
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7 He said to them: βIt is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But 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.β
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9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
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10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
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11 βMen of Galilee,β they said, βwhy 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.β
Encouragement
Even after Jesus has ascended into heaven, he remains active, so we'll close this season out with additional passages from Acts and Revelation detailing His intercession in events. First with Paul's conversion and concluding with His words to John as recorded in Revelation.
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Andy
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God's Word In Your Hand