February 27’s devotional.
Barry said, “Why do you stand here looking up into the sky?” The angels asked that question in Acts 1, and it still searches us today. After Jesus spoke His final words, “he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). The ascension was visible. Bodily. Historical. The same Jesus who ate with them and showed them His wounds rose before their eyes. Christianity does not rest on myth. It rests on a risen and reigning Christ.
Luke records that “after he had said this, he was taken up.” And then two men in white said, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Jesus ascended physically. He will return physically. He left in glory. He will come in glory. Our hope is not vague optimism. It is anchored in a promise. As Jesus Himself declared, “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26).
Yet Barry warned, “Don’t get stuck looking up. Start moving out.” The disciples stood staring. Heaven had opened. Their Lord had gone. But obedience still waited. Jesus had already told them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Hope in His return fuels mission. It does not freeze us in speculation. It frees us for service. We live between the cross and the cloud. Between redemption accomplished and redemption consummated.
Some in Paul’s day stopped working because they expected Christ at any moment. But Scripture calls us to faithful stewardship. Jesus said, “This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). The promise of His return presses us into diligence. Work. Witness. Pray. Refuse skygazing spirituality. Refuse idle curiosity about dates and times. Ask instead: Am I distracted by speculation, or devoted to obedience?
Lord Jesus, You ascended in glory and You will return in power. Guard me from passive waiting. Forgive me when I drift into comfort or curiosity instead of commission. Fill me with Your Spirit. Anchor my hope in Your promised return. Make me faithful with the time You have given. Let me labour with urgency and rest with confidence, until the day I see You come in the clouds. Amen.