Christ Church Daily Devotion June 16 2024

This is a devotion from Christchurch for June 16, 2024. The passage from Acts chapter 1 verses 6-11 tells about the disciples asking Jesus if he will restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus tells them that it is not for them to know the times, but they will receive power from the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses. Then Jesus ascends into heaven and two angels appear, reminding the disciples to focus on their mission rather than looking up at the sky. The devotion emphasizes the importance of staying focused on sharing their witness and relationship with Jesus, rather than getting distracted by studying prophecies or waiting for his return. A suggested prayer is included to ask for help in staying focused on the mission. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for June 16, 2024. Today we will be reading from Acts chapter 1 verses 6 through 11. Then they gathered around him and asked him, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to 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 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 from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them, 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. This passage gives us the scene where Luke shares his version of the mission Jesus gave to his disciples. Once again we are reminded that this is such a big mission, reaching to the ends of the earth. Each and every one of us as Christians are called to do our part to serve that mission. My focus for this day is on the last two verses of this passage. We can easily picture in our minds the scene of the apostles standing there with their mouths open, looking up into the sky. They had just witnessed an awe-inspiring sight. Who wouldn't be amazed as well as stunned? I experienced a little humor in what happens next. The angels say to them, in essence, Why are you guys standing around looking up at the sky? You've been given a mission, so get to it. Sometimes we can get focused on Jesus' return, studying prophecies and analyzing current events, and listening to those who claim to know much about the end times. It's like we're looking up into the sky, waiting for Jesus to come back. But I hear those angels continue to tell us to stay focused on our mission. Keep sharing your witness, your experience and relationship with Jesus Christ, so that people around you will come to know Him. It's a big mission, so we better stay after it. Your personal worship option today. Offer this prayer, or one like it in your own words. Jesus, I confess that I often get distracted, both by my life in the world and even by busyness with the church, so that I lose focus on the mission you have given me. Thank you for this reminder to continuously help others come to know you. Amen.