Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Welcome...

to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.


Remember our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning.





I start today with Acts 1. Can we even allow our imaginations to take us there? These men have been with Jesus. They have walked with him, they have talked with him, they have seen him crucified, they were there when he was buried, they went to the empty tomb, and now they have seen the risen Lord. It tells us here in this first chapter (verse 3) that "He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God."

And then he tells them not to leave - but to wait for the promise of the Father which he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Then...look at this passage:

(8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

(9) And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

(10) And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,

(11) and said,"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Jesus is there ... talking to them. Telling them that they will receive power. They will be His witnesses. And he ascends into heaven...while they are watching...

Gazing... could you do anything else? Gazing... I imagine with their mouths wide open... Gazing.

And now- here are two men in white robes - asking them - why are you just standing here gazing? This Jesus - will come back in the same way as you saw him go.

This passages lets us know that the Son of God - took on human form - in order to be our Savior - and that human form is what ascended to heaven. And it will be that human form that comes back again.

A foot note from the ESV says it this way: "The amazing miracle of the incarnation is not only that the eternal Son of God took human nature on himself and became a person who is simultaneously God and man, but also that he will remain both fully God and fully man forever.

Have you ever thought about that?

I think I am gazing...

This takes me to Revelation 22:20: He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon, " Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Gazing...

What about you this week? I am looking forward to hearing from you. You know the drill... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.






6 comments:

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Oh DeeDee...I am gazing with you. Come Lord Jesus, indeed. Isn't the book of Acts amazing? I can't even fathom what it must have been like to walk with Him, to talk with Him...to see Him ascend...to audibly hear and witness firsthand His promises. And their faith...their boldness. WOW! I am so encouraged by this week's verses.

Thank you and blessings to you this week...

Kelly

Blog is no more said...

I love the Scripture for this week as well. We can learn much about how the early church was formed and how they should be.

I am gazing with you as well. Great post.

Blessing to you my friend,
Sharon

Laurie Ann said...

I gleaned so much from the reading this week. I could hardly contain myself!

I loved what you centered on, gazing...I am definitely gazing as I await His return and gazing as I look to Him for direction.

Precious post, my friend. Thank you so much for hosting this each week!

Meredith said...

gazing indeed!! I love how that part spoke to you.... I'm sure I would have been crying and gazing. Can you cry with your jaw dropped open?

Love it!

Tricia said...

I agree with Meredith... I would have been crying and gazing. I have never really focused in on that portion of the passage, never really stopped to think about them gazing... I love that you shared that with us! Thank you!

Blessings!

Melanie said...

Wow.. the thought of gazing at Jesus! Amazing!