Bethany at the eastern foot of the Mount of Olives

“After He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight.” (1) The resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples over a period of forty days and taught them about the kingdom of God. At the end, He ascended to heaven from a village called Bethany at the eastern foothills of the Mount of Olives. (2) This was sudden for the disciples, but not for Jesus. God’s plan was proceeding exactly as intended. (3) On this day, Jesus completed all His missions on earth and ascended to heaven. From this point forward, the resurrected Jesus continues His work on earth through the apostles and the Church, while being in heaven. This is the theme of the Acts of the Apostles. Let us remember that the Lord Jesus is continuing his work through us believers even today. We are witnesses of the Lord Jesus. (4) The cloud that surrounded Jesus is the cloud of God’s glory (Shekinah Glory), that signifies the presence of God. The ascension of Jesus is also written in Luke 24:50-51: “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.”

A cloud received Him out of sight

“And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.” (1) As Jesus was being taken up, the disciples were gazing up into the sky. Perhaps they were watching expectantly for Jesus to return immediately. (2) Then two angels appeared in white clothing, shattering the disciples’ reverie. The two angels delivered an important message. “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?” (1) All of the apostles, except Judas Iscariot, were from Galilee. The angels told them that it was pointless to keep looking into the sky because Jesus would not return immediately. (2) “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” This is a prophecy of Jesus’ second coming. The same one will return in the same way (in a cloud of glory). Until the return of the Lord Jesus, the disciples are given a mission to accomplish on earth. Their spiritual eyes would gradually be opened to understand why they have been saved. Let us pray that the same occurs for us.