Jesus ascends to heaven

Jesus died on the cross, but on the third day he rose from the dead.

The disciples saw him often, and he showed them that he really was alive. He spoke to them about God’s kingdom, and he also explained to them that he was going to leave them again. One day they were eating together when Jesus said, “Do not leave Jerusalem to go back to your homes in Galilee. Stay here. Do you remember that I told you that I was going to send the Holy Spirit to you? Wait here because he is going to come to you. He will help you to follow me, and he will also teach you everything you need to know.” The disciples gathered around Jesus and asked, “Lord, are you going to be Israel’s king now?” Jesus said, “You must understand that God’s kingdom is not like a kingdom in this world. His kingdom is wherever he rules in people’s hearts. You are going to be part of his kingdom. That is why you have to wait here. You will need the Holy Spirit to help you. When he comes, you will not be afraid anymore. You will tell people about me, first of all here in Jerusalem, and then further away in Judea and Samaria. Later you will travel to faraway places to tell people about me. At last, after many, many years, everybody on earth will know about me.”

Jesus led his disciples to the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. Then he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them. He was taken up into heaven. The apostles watched until a cloud hid him from their sight. As they were looking at the sky two men dressed in white clothing suddenly stood beside them.

“Why do you stand here looking at the sky?” they said. “Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. But he will come back in the same way you saw him go.” The disciples were full of joy. Jesus had gone to heaven, but he was going to send the Holy Spirit to them. The Holy Spirit was always going to be with them, wherever they were. The disciples worshipped Jesus and then went back to Jerusalem. They knew something very good was going to happen. Luke 24:50-53 Acts 1:1-11