My husband and I had the privilege of going overseas a couple of times to teach biblical peacemaking in Central Asia. It was fascinating to plunge into Central Asian culture and we quickly became attached to the people we met. We learned so much! And we definitely left pieces of our hearts in Central Asia.

But it was always so good to come home — and it was awesome to tell our family and friends about what we had seen and done.

I wonder if that’s how Jesus felt when he went back to heaven?

Jesus Ascends to Heaven

“After his suffering, [Jesus] presented himself to [his followers] and gave them many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?’

He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Acts 1:6-9

It’s interesting to think about the things Jesus didn’t do after his resurrection. He didn’t track down his enemies and show them that he had beat them in their nefarious schemes. He didn’t stand in the temple courts and preach about how he had fulfilled prophecy with his death and resurrection – as far as we know. Instead he went to his followers and talked with them about the kingdom of God. He passed the Gospel baton to them, and then he went home.

Other Ascensions

Jesus was one of three people in the Bible who went to heaven without dying.

The first was Enoch: “Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him.” Genesis 5:24, (The Message)

The second was Elijah who was taken as he walked with his protégé Elisha: “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” 2 Kings 2:11 NIV

And the third was Jesus who rose up in front of the disciples and disappeared into the clouds. Who knows how long the disciples might have stood there gazing at the sky if a couple of angels hadn’t gotten their attention?

“‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:11

The disciples thought that Jesus would be back soon and it might have occurred to them to build a shrine on the Mount of Olives and just hang out and wait for him. But there was work to do and God the Father sent angel messengers to spur them on.

Adding an Apostle

The disciples were nearly inseparable after Jesus ascended to heaven. They banded together and got a place to stay in Jerusalem, because Jesus had told them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5

While they were waiting they decided to fill the spot in their ranks that Judas Iscariot left empty when he killed himself. Peter recalled a couple of Psalms that spoke about a leader who was deposed and had another person take his place.

They decided the new apostle had to be someone they all knew, who had been with them from the time they started following Jesus. Two names came up and they chose Matthias by praying and casting lots. This is the only place Matthias is mentioned because it turned out that the Lord Jesus had a different man in mind to fill out the ranks of the Apostles. His name was Paul and we will meet him soon.

The Holy Spirit Comes

Pentecost was celebrated fifty days after Passover. People traveled to Jerusalem from many lands to offer the first fruits of the spring harvest at the temple.

“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.” Acts 2:5

More than a hundred followers of Jesus were together in a house on the day of Pentecost when a huge sound filled the room.

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:2-4

There was such a commotion that a bewildered crowd gathered outside. They were from many different nations, but they each heard their own language being spoken.

“Utterly amazed, they asked, ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? . . . We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’” Acts 2:7-12

Peter Preaches the Gospel

Peter stood up and explained the situation to the crowd: Old Testament prophecy was being fulfilled in their midst. Joel, the last prophet to speak in the Old Testament had prophesied that one day God’s Spirit would be poured out on all kinds of people – not just prophets, priests and kings – but people of all ages, male and female, would be filled with the Holy Spirit. And every one of them who called on the name of the Lord would be saved. (Acts 2:14-22)

But what name were people to use when they called on the Lord? Peter explained:

“‘Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” Acts 2:22

Then came the Gospel as Peter continued:

“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2:23-24

Jesus was alive! And he had ascended into heaven.

“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear . . . Therefore let all of Israel be assured of this: God has made Jesus, who you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.’” Acts 2:36

Who Crucified the Messiah?

Peter accused the God-fearing Jews listening to him of crucifying Jesus, and they took it to heart.

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’

Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” Acts 2:37-39

It wasn’t the actions of a handful of people that caused the death of Jesus; it was the whole human race. Everyone who ever sinned was responsible for the crucifixion because Jesus died for all sinners. About three thousand people accepted Peter’s message that day and were baptized.

The Church is Born

Many new believers joined the apostles and stayed on in Jerusalem where they could learn how to be disciples of Jesus.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.” Acts 2:42-44

They sold their properties and added the proceeds to the community funds so no one was in need. They ate together with glad and sincere hearts, and God added to their number every day as more people heard about Jesus and were saved. The temple was their worship center and they met there daily.

It must have felt like they had brought heaven to earth when the Church was born in Jerusalem, but they weren’t in heaven yet. And hard times were waiting just around the corner.