Don't Just Stand There--Do Something!

"Resurrection" by Rembrandt

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“So when they had come together, they asked Him, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:6–11).

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

In 1997, Marshall Applewhite led thirty-eight other people in a mass suicide near San Diego, California. Members of a New Age cult called “Heaven’s Gate,” Applewhite and his followers lived together in a large house in anticipation of their final days on earth. They believed a spaceship would come behind the Hale-Bopp comet to take them to a “heavenly kingdom.” Like numerous Christian and non-Christian groups throughout history, “Heaven’s Gate” looked for signs that pointed to a “supernatural” rescue.

Sadly, many individuals have tried to figure out the date of the “Last Day” or the “end of the world” contrary to God’s Word. They have mixed the truth of God’s Word with their own opinions, calculations, and false teachings. In the process, many people have been deeply hurt. Some, like the members of “Heaven’s Gate,” have taken their lives—or even the lives of others. Yes, Jesus will return. However, the Bible does not provide exact dates and details about the Second Coming. The Bible says, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).

The disciples were also concerned about Christ’s return in today's text. They asked, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Like many of their fellow countrymen, the apostles were looking for the deliverance of the people of Israel from foreign domination and the establishment of an earthly kingdom at Christ’s Second Coming. They understood the prophecies of the Old Testament, as well as the Lord’s words about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, to be accomplished by the utter annihilation of the enemies of God and complete victory for the Jews. Jesus’ reference to the coming of the Spirit had caused them to wonder if this new age was about to dawn and their hopes would be fulfilled.

Although the disciples’ question was sincere, it showed their limited understanding, even after Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ response was a mild reproof: “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” It is not the business of Jesus’ disciples to know the timing of these things. They are under the exclusive authority and power of the Father and should not be a subject of anxious thought for Christians.

Instead of worrying about Jesus’ return, the apostles were to wait in Jerusalem for the power and strength they would need for the significant duties of their calling. The Holy Spirit would communicate this spiritual power directly to them at Pentecost. They would be entirely and adequately equipped for the great task ahead. These men would be more than mere preachers who proclaimed what they were ordered to proclaim. They were to be witnesses to the world, men who had seen, heard, touched, experienced, and were qualified to testify accordingly.

The disciples were Christ’s witnesses in a way no others were or could be. All the great things they saw could never be repeated, yet they had to be made known, not only to men of that age but to men, women, and children of all ages. For this reason, the apostles received the equipping of the Spirit to witness to the people of their time and, with their inspired writings, to people of all time.

Still not completely understanding what was happening, the disciples stared intently at the sky as Jesus was taken up before their very eyes. They stood watching even after a cloud had hidden Jesus from their sight. Two angels appeared and asked, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” (Acts 1:11). In other words, they were saying, “Don’t just stand there. Do something!” The time the disciples spent longingly wishing for Christ's visible presence or return was wasted. This same Jesus, who was taken up to heaven, would one day return in the same way they watched Him disappear from sight. But in the meantime, they had work to do!

Have you ever thought about what might have happened in the history of the world and the Church if the disciples of Jesus had not taken to the road? They could have stayed where they were, in Jerusalem or their native Galilee, simply waiting for the promised return of their Lord. But Jesus had instructed them to carry the Gospel “to the ends of the earth.” So, they soon took to the roads. That’s how this Good News of God’s loving forgiveness in Jesus Christ has come down to you and me.

As believers we have been promised that Christ will return for us one day in the same way He ascended to heaven. With that knowledge, we might be tempted to stand around and wait for Him to return. However, such inaction endangers our faith and prevents us from fulfilling our mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We could miss the opportunity to show Christ’s love and care to those around us. We could miss the chance to live lives that reflect His grace and mercy. And we might miss the opportunity to carry out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.

As Christians, we do indeed look to heaven. We know Christ will come again in glory. Our look heavenward, though, must never stop us from seeing life and love on earth. It must never prevent us from witnessing our faith in Jesus Christ. When we do look up, we need to let others know why.

Ascension Day provides an excellent opportunity for us to be Christ’s witnesses. On this day, we recount the events of the day in which the risen Christ removed His visible presence from men and passed into the heavens to be seated at the right hand of God. As Christians, Christ’s ascension brings us great comfort. Our faith and hope for the future rests securely in the knowledge that Christ ascended and is now always and everywhere present. He rules over all creation. He governs and protects His Church on Earth. He joins us to Himself, His death and resurrection, through Holy Baptism. He feeds us with His very body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. He speaks His Word of love and forgiveness through His called and ordained servant.

And we recall His promise that one day He will return “to judge the living and the dead.” We look forward to that day when our bodies will be resurrected and made to be like His glorious body. Best of all, we shall “see Him as He is.” We will know Him perfectly and in full. God’s plan for a relationship with His crowning point of creation, man, will be restored.

As we await the day of His return, Christ has given us an assignment. We are to be His witnesses throughout all the earth. We are to make disciples by baptizing and teaching all He has commanded us. We are to tell others the Good News—Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth as a man for our salvation. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross as our substitute to take away our sins. Jesus rose from the dead, declaring His victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. He returned to heaven to resume His place as Lord. He had died once; He will not die again. Instead, He visibly ascended on high to prepare a place for us. His ascension is a pledge of our destiny. Heaven is our home.

To complete this task, Jesus has promised the assistance of the Holy Spirit. He will encourage us and give us the words to speak the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ, not just in the confines of our congregations. The work begins in our homes and extends to our neighborhood, city, state, country, and even to the ends of the earth.

May we never waste our time just waiting around for Christ’s return. May we all share the Good News of Jesus Christ. May we all take advantage of our opportunities to tell others that Jesus Christ has won salvation for all men, women, and children. As we wait for Christ’s return, may we all be busy preparing others to meet Him as well. May we all be found faithful on that great and glorious day when He will come to claim His own. May God grant this to us all. Amen

The peace of God that passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.