READ: Acts 1.9-11 NLT




Jesus was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
The Ascension of Jesus brought his ministry on earth to an end in an amazing way. It is not surprising that the disciples looked intently into the sky to see where he had gone. I am sure we would have all done the same. As they stood there they were informed that the day will come when Jesus will return in the same way as he left.
The Second Coming of Jesus should be our confident expectation. It should be constantly in our minds, not as a threat but as the most
wonderful promise. When I was a small boy I must confess that I thought of it entirely as a threat and whenever I couldn’t find my mother in the house, I always assumed that Jesus had returned and I’d been left behind. But the fact that Jesus will return is presented to us in the New Testament as a cause for encouragement. The fact that Jesus will return one day is a reminder that history is in God’s hands and, at the time that he chooses, the curtain will be brought down.
The knowledge that Jesus will return one day also encourages us to ensure that we keep our minds focused on serving the Lord. Jesus told a number of parables to stress the importance of keeping alert all the time because we don’t know precisely when he will return. The parable of the ten bridesmaids (Matthew 25.1-13) is a warning that we need to be fully prepared so that we don’t miss the moment, and the parable of the servants (Matthew 25.14-30) reminds us that we need to work really hard with whatever resources we’ve been given. Whether Jesus returns during our lifetime or not is not the point. What matters is that we are always ready.



QUESTIONS: In what way is your life affected by the fact that Jesus might return today?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ we pray that we will always live in readiness for your return. Amen

Released on 14 May 2021