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Prepare: Meditate on the phrase ‘Jesus is alive’.
Drama and expectation
As an avid watcher of sci-fi programmes, I find these verses captivating. In an almost movie-like sequel to his Gospel, Luke begins at roughly the same place he left us – with the reality-shifting spectacle of Jesus ascending into heaven.
Much drama and expectation is packed into this short account. To begin with we are reminded of the death-defeating triumph of Jesus and when the disciples ask for some clarity they are simply told to wait for the gift that has been promised (v 4). Imagine their bewilderment and anticipation as they hear about receiving power from this gift and about being his witnesses to the ends of the earth (v 8).
God’s reality
If they were not puzzled enough, then what happened next probably took them to a whole new level. Jesus was taken up into heaven (v 9). The cloud, often a symbol of God’s presence, and the appearance of two angels explaining that Jesus would return in the same way, added to the divine significance.
Suddenly heaven and earth were seen as interlocking spheres of a new reality – God’s reality – and Jesus could travel between them. Food for thought regarding the second coming and a startling display of the dual-dimensional kingdom of God.
Respond: Scroll through a TV guide and count the sci-fi programmes. Why are people fascinated with the supernatural?
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-05-28
Drama and expectation
As an avid watcher of sci-fi programmes, I find these verses captivating. In an almost movie-like sequel to his Gospel, Luke begins at roughly the same place he left us – with the reality-shifting spectacle of Jesus ascending into heaven.
Much drama and expectation is packed into this short account. To begin with we are reminded of the death-defeating triumph of Jesus and when the disciples ask for some clarity they are simply told to wait for the gift that has been promised (v 4). Imagine their bewilderment and anticipation as they hear about receiving power from this gift and about being his witnesses to the ends of the earth (v 8).
God’s reality
If they were not puzzled enough, then what happened next probably took them to a whole new level. Jesus was taken up into heaven (v 9). The cloud, often a symbol of God’s presence, and the appearance of two angels explaining that Jesus would return in the same way, added to the divine significance.
Suddenly heaven and earth were seen as interlocking spheres of a new reality – God’s reality – and Jesus could travel between them. Food for thought regarding the second coming and a startling display of the dual-dimensional kingdom of God.
Respond: Scroll through a TV guide and count the sci-fi programmes. Why are people fascinated with the supernatural?
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-05-28
Scripture
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WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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