What must it have been like for the disciples during the forty days that Jesus walked on earth between His Resurrection and His Ascension into the heavens?

Imagine the emotional rollercoaster these men and women rode during that approximate six week period. Just when things seem to be coming together, Jesus announces that He’s going to Jerusalem and that He’ll be put to death. That alone must have caused quite a stir. How could that happen? He was riding this huge wave of popularity and taking His followers with Him.

Still, true to His word, within one week His closest friends go from accompanying a future King down the streets of Jerusalem, to the cheers of the crowds along the street, to watching Him die a horrific death on the cross. Some stood and watched from a distance. Others boldly stood at the foot of the cross and watched him breathe his last.

Then, just three days later, as they mourned in hiding for fear of their lives, He reappears to them! They can touch Him, eat with him and ask him all those questions they had neglected to ask while he was on earth. I would imagine that every word that Jesus spoke was treasured more than ever before. Questions that had been in the back of their minds were asked. Clarifications sought. This time, they would listen to every word that came from His mouth. He would not be taken for granted.

Luke relates the story of Jesus’ last words in Acts 1:1-11. It was time for Him to leave. This time, He would be gone for a long time. The success or failure of His Church rested on those around Him. During His earthly ministry he taught them along the road side, demonstrated the love of His Father to the prostitutes and healed the hopelessly sick. Now, His attention turned to His faithful followers. To borrow from the sports world, it was GAME TIME! Once the ball is tipped off or kicked, or that first pitch is thrown, learning new skills is over. Now, the effective coach reminds his charges of the things learned in drills and practice.

In the same way, Jesus reminds them of all He had taught them about life’s struggles and about their relationship with the Father, built on His sacrifice and empowered by His Holy Spirit. Now, they gather on a hillside outside Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus gives His final words of blessing before being taken up. As the disciples watched Him grow smaller and smaller as He rose heavenward, two angels appear to them. Their words motivate me. To paraphrase, they ask those gathered, why are you standing here? What do you hope to see? Are you gazing and thinking of the past or contemplating the future? Go back to Jerusalem and wait.

There’s a sense of urgency in this passage that each of us needs to consider. It’s time we stop being bound by our past. It’s time we stop speculating about the future. The past is forgiven under the cross. The future is God’s hands. It is, now, time for each of us to get in the game. It’s time to do Kingdom work under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Excerpt from “Ready, Set, Grow!”