There are few moments in the Gospels that feel so oddly like a goodbye and a beginning at once. When Jesus lifts off from the earth, we feel the longing every human heart knows: for presence, for purpose, and for authority that finally makes sense of our suffering. How do we live in between the One who has gone up and the promise that he is at the right hand of God? This passage matters because it tells us who rules now and what that ruling invites us to become.
In Mark 16:19–20 (part of the longer ending found in most Bibles) and Luke 24:50–53, Jesus is taken up into heaven after his resurrection appearances. Luke gives the fuller setting: Jesus leads the disciples to Bethany, lifts his hands, blesses them, and is carried up into heaven while they worship with great joy and return to Jerusalem continually praising God in the temple. Mark’s brief note emphasizes that Jesus was “taken up” and “sat down at the right hand of God,” and that the disciples went out and proclaimed the message with confirming signs. The two accounts harmonize—both show departure, enthronement, worship, and the disciples’ transformed witness—though Luke supplies the scene and Mark highlights the enthronement and the mission that follows.
This moment reveals essential truths: Jesus’ ascension is not abandonment but enthronement. His physical absence creates the space for his sovereign rule and for the Spirit to be the ruler’s presence among us. That’s the hard edge of the Gospel—you’re not waiting for Jesus to return to start living; you’re sent under his authority now. Yet it’s also full of grace: he blesses them as he leaves, their bewilderment becomes worship, and signs confirm that God’s kingdom is advancing through fragile human witnesses. Don’t miss the weight: the King has ascended, and his reign commissions ordinary people to carry the news.
Today, practice one concrete thing: take five minutes this morning to pray a brief blessing over your household or a coworker (speak a simple benediction: “May the Lord bless and keep you; may Jesus’ reign be known in your life today”). Then name one person you will intentionally encourage or invite into conversation about hope this week. Live as one who worships because the King sits at the right hand of God—and as one who goes because he sent you.
In Mark 16:19–20 (part of the longer ending found in most Bibles) and Luke 24:50–53, Jesus is taken up into heaven after his resurrection appearances. Luke gives the fuller setting: Jesus leads the disciples to Bethany, lifts his hands, blesses them, and is carried up into heaven while they worship with great joy and return to Jerusalem continually praising God in the temple. Mark’s brief note emphasizes that Jesus was “taken up” and “sat down at the right hand of God,” and that the disciples went out and proclaimed the message with confirming signs. The two accounts harmonize—both show departure, enthronement, worship, and the disciples’ transformed witness—though Luke supplies the scene and Mark highlights the enthronement and the mission that follows.
This moment reveals essential truths: Jesus’ ascension is not abandonment but enthronement. His physical absence creates the space for his sovereign rule and for the Spirit to be the ruler’s presence among us. That’s the hard edge of the Gospel—you’re not waiting for Jesus to return to start living; you’re sent under his authority now. Yet it’s also full of grace: he blesses them as he leaves, their bewilderment becomes worship, and signs confirm that God’s kingdom is advancing through fragile human witnesses. Don’t miss the weight: the King has ascended, and his reign commissions ordinary people to carry the news.
Today, practice one concrete thing: take five minutes this morning to pray a brief blessing over your household or a coworker (speak a simple benediction: “May the Lord bless and keep you; may Jesus’ reign be known in your life today”). Then name one person you will intentionally encourage or invite into conversation about hope this week. Live as one who worships because the King sits at the right hand of God—and as one who goes because he sent you.
Mark: 16:19-20
After Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat at God's right hand, his disciples went out to preach the gospel everywhere, with the Lord accompanying and confirming their message by miraculous signs.
Open VerseLuke: 24:50-53
Jesus led the disciples to Bethany, blessed them, and was taken up into heaven as they worshiped. The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy and continued to praise God in the temple.
Open Verse