Jesus Goes Up – But the Mission Continues (Acts 1:1-11)
Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone important? In Acts 1:1–11, Jesus’ followers experienced a goodbye like no other. But it wasn’t a sad ending—it was a powerful beginning.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
The book of Acts begins with a quick reminder of everything Jesus had already done—His teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. For 40 days after rising from the dead, Jesus appeared to His disciples, proving He was alive and teaching them more about God’s kingdom.
That must have been an incredible time! Imagine learning directly from the risen Jesus.
A Promise, Not a Plan
One day, while they were with Jesus, the disciples asked,
“Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?”
They were still thinking about a political kingdom—freedom from Rome and a strong nation. But Jesus had something much bigger in mind. He said,
“It’s not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set.”
In other words: “God’s plan is bigger than you think, and it will happen at the right time.”
But Jesus didn’t leave them empty-handed. He gave them a promise.
Power and Purpose
Jesus told them,
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
He was saying:
“I’m going back to heaven, but the Holy Spirit will come and give you the strength and courage to share my message with the whole world.”
That was their mission—and it’s our mission too.
Lift-Off and the Angels
Right after He said those words, something amazing happened.
Jesus was lifted up into the sky, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.
The disciples stood there, staring into the sky—probably in shock. Then, two angels appeared and said,
“Why are you standing here looking up? Jesus has been taken into heaven, and He will come back the same way you saw Him go.”
It was like the angels were saying: “Don’t just stand here—get ready. He’s coming back, and there’s work to do!”
What This Means for Us
Jesus may have gone back to heaven, but His work on earth continues—through us.
He sends us His Holy Spirit to help us. He gives us courage, wisdom, and power to share His love and truth with others.
We don’t have to be perfect. We just need to be willing.
The mission is still the same:
Be His witnesses. Tell His story. Live for His glory.
And one day, just like the angels said, Jesus will return.
So let’s not just stand and watch—let’s go and live out His mission. He’s given us the power, the promise, and the purpose.
Acts 1:1-11 (WEB)
1:1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom. 4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”