Scripture's Story for the Week
Acts 1:1-14
Jesus' Departure to 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. 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. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It 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.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “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.”
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Pondering Point
Because today is a significant day in the life of Jesus post-Easter, we have moved our IMMERSION story for the week up to Thursday. It is known as the Ascension of Jesus, and occurs forty days after His resurrection from the dead.
Prior to His death, Jesus’ disciples were with Him nearly all the time. Granted there were times that the Lord went off by Himself to solitary places to meet with His Father unencumbered. But for the most part, He was always accessible to His closest followers.
After His death, He appeared to His followers – over five hundred of them at one point (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). But something was different. They could not “follow” Him to the garden or into the next town or next location. Jesus would disappear ‘into thin air’ as some say. And it happened multiple times. But in this event, something is different even from that. Check it out and pay attention as you internalize what would be Jesus’ final words so that they “remain in you” as Immersion highlights this week.
Prayer
Jesus, let me remain in You and
Your words remain in me. Amen.
10 Days of Prayer
By the way, since in the church calendar, today is recognized as the Ascension of Jesus to heaven. We are offering a plan to you.
The Ascension was followed by 10 days of prayer shared among the disciples until the Holy Spirit arrived. Starting today, we are including a 10-day prayer challenge appended to each IMMERSION devotion. Consider participating with us by praying the varied themes as part of your devotional time.
From the Going of Jesus
to the Coming of the Holy Spirit
After Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples spent 10 days in Jerusalem waiting and praying till the Holy Spirit showed up on Pentecost. We celebrate Pentecost on May 19 this year. This 10-Day Prayer Challenge has you pray for friends and family to experience God’s love through Jesus Christ. Pick 2 or 3 to pray for during the 10 days – using that day’s theme to direct the prayer.
Ascension Day
Theme:
Jesus
Pray that your friends and family encounter Jesus in all His grace, challenge, and love. Pray that they can say, with you and the Apostle Paul, ‘For me, to live is Christ.’