HE has risen!!!! And now HE is gone, at least for a time. As HE ascended those present were told that “this same Jesus” they saw ascend would descend again. I imagine how they lived each day with great anticipation of HIS return.
I had a parable with the puppy Cass concerning such a thing that brought this home to me in a very real way. Cass (my son’s puppy) loves Ray. When he hears or sees Ray he begins to jump as if there were springs in his legs. Today Ray had an errand at my office. True to form Cass when wild when he saw Ray. Even though Ray took him up and petted him profusely before putting him down, Cass was not satisfied. He wanted to be with Ray. Ray promised him that he would come back and take him to play soon. As Ray left the office Cass began to whine and to pace about his pen. Then he went to the side of his pen that faces the windows. With all his might he stretched his body in an effort to get out the windows to where he saw Ray getting in the vehicle. But after a while of looking with no sign of Ray he became despondent. It was not long before he was lying down and then asleep.
Watching the scenario play out the teaching was clear to me. Like Cass, the early disciples as well as we, believe that Jesus will return to take us to be with HIM. But then the time passes and things happen and our attention becomes focused on other things and spiritually we fall asleep. We lose the sense of great anticipation that was present when we first heard the Good News.
Don’t let Resurrection Day with all of its glory fade from your mind and heart. Let the recent celebration spur you to greater heights of HIS anticipated return. For surely this same Jesus will return.
Hope to see you in a Tea Room soon,
Elizabeth