Why?

Acts 1:11 KJV

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Can you blame them?

The disciples had been on one whale of a ride. Having given up their lives for Christ they had gone from expectation to devastation to elation and now to amazement.

Jesus had called them and trained them. Then He had died right in front of them but He rose from the grave and spent forty days proving it to them. They were sure, just sure that the king preached kingdom of God must be just around their corner. But then, in the presence of all of them, Jesus ascended to heaven. I completely understand why they were gazing into heaven. But the angels didn't. They approach to bring them back to reality (can you imagine having lived in such a miraculous time that angels can bring you back to earth?) the Angels ask one question; Why stand ye gazing into heaven?

Why do you wonder?

This is the same Jesus who walked on water calmed stormy seas and raised the dead to life again. This is the same Jesus who had Himself died and risen three days later. Ascending to heaven is small in comparison.

Why do you wait?

Jesus had commissioned them to reach the world. They were still to wait on the power of the Holy Ghost but that wasn't going to happen gawking into the sky.

Why do you worry?

The angels seemed to sense dread and fear in the disciples. This, they had not expected. What would become of them now? Would that kingdom ever come? Would they ever see Jesus again?

The answer was affirmative. This same Jesus, not a replacement not a substitute not a stand in. This same Jesus they had watched go into heaven would return exactly as He had gone.

There was nothing left for them to do but:

·       To return

·       To pray

·       To be empowered of the Holy Ghost and

·       To turn the world upside down.