Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?
Acts 1:11
As I read this verse recently and began to think it through, I found it to be fascinating. The disciples have just watched Jesus miraculously ascend into the heavens and out of their sight. This was an amazing moment! To say that they were a little awestruck would be an understatement, but the angels asked them why they were standing there staring into the sky.
When I considered what they were saying to the disciples, I thought of two things. First, the angels of heaven live constantly in the wonder of the awe of God. To see Jesus ascend into the clouds was what I like to call supernaturally normal for them. They know very well what He is capable of and this ascension was only a glimpse of how incredible He is!
Second, and most humanly important at this moment, the angels were telling them to quit staring into the sky because there was work to be done. Before Jesus left He gave them a clear command of what they were supposed to do. They were to first pray and wait for the power of the Spirit. They were then called to take authority that had been given them and go preach the Gospel and make disciples. The call was too urgent and important to be wasting time.
Let that sink in! We are called by the same calling. Today we are too often staring into space (or a phone screen, computer, tv, etc.) instead of being busy about the work that we are called to do. There will be plenty of time in eternity to look to the heavens because then it will be face to face. For now, go tell someone about Jesus!
Pastor David
