On Earth as it is in heaven

What are you so worried

Acts 1:6–11 LEB

6 So when they had come together, they began asking him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But he said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.” 9 And after he had said these things, while they were watching, he was taken up, and a cloud received him from their sight. 10 And as they were staring into the sky while he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood by them 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand there looking into the sky? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven like this will come back in the same way you saw him departing into heaven!”

Acts 1:11 LEB

11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand there looking into the sky? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven like this will come back in the same way you saw him departing into heaven!”

Good question and it is something we spoke about a few weeks ago…We just celebrated ASCENSION DAY…hemelvaartdag! Is is the day that Christ ascended into heaven.

I like the question…MEN OF GALILEE. Jesus did his first miracle in Cana od Gailee, Jesus was brought up in Galilee…but it is as if the guys in white was bringing them back to reality…you’ve seen this jesus perform miracles, trust HIM

Why did he have to leave?

Coud Jesus not have just stayed wit them a bit longer? They enjoyed their time with Christ? What’s the big rush Jesus. We cannot live without you? There are times in our lives when life just makes sense! When the puzzle pieces just fit together. Three Disciples with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration!

Mark 9:5 LEB

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! And let us make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

John 6:67–70 LEB

67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 And we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus replied to them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is the devil?”

We need to you with us ALL the time Jesus. Bt listen to what Jesus says why he had to leave:

John 16:7 LEB

7 But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

I like how Jesus responds. He knows exactly what we need…not gold or silver or a house or a car…you need an Advocate. The word Advocate, in Greek is PARAKLETOS…helper, counsellor, intercessor. The one who will bring to mind everything that Jesus did and taught, the one who will intercede on your behalf when you dont even know what to pray for, the one who will comfort you in times of need, the one who will teach the ways of God, the One who will empower you, the One who will help you to discern!

In fact the Hebrew word for Holy Spirit says it this way…RUACH ELOIHIM…Ruach meaning Breath of God.

Genesis 2:7 LEB

7 when Yahweh God formed the man of dust from the ground, and he blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Speaks about the fact that this RUACH ELOIHIM gives us life. The Bible says that man became a LIVING CREATURE after this. We become alive to Christ when we receive the Holy Spirit.

He prepares a place

Jewish tradition has it that when a Jewish man chooses a wife and goes through all the customary issues, he goes to build a house for her. He takes his time, and when he is ready or when he thinks he is ready, he calls his dad. His dad checks out the house, and if the dad is not satisfied, he will tell his son to continue to build and only when the dad is ok with the house, can the son go and collect his bride to go and live with him. The jewish people would have understood this in the cultual concept. Jesus says to his followers:

John 14:1–6 LEB

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places; but if not, I would have told you, because I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How are we able to know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus communicates the issue of a Bride and the Grrom relationship…I go to prepare a place for you. Jesus also communicates that where we will spend eternity, has to be prepared. He communicates what the songwriter sings when he pens the words:

This world is not my home I'm just passing through My treasures are laid up Somewhere beyond the blue

The Angels beckon me From Heaven's open door And I can't feel at home In this world anymore

Jesus starts this chapter with the words:

dont let your hearts be troubled…I am leaving to get ready for your homecoming. But a question should be, “Is he building your house?” You see he was addressing HIS DISCIPLES, HIS FOLLOWERS

When we were young and at Sunday School we used to sing this song:

Somewhere In Outer Space by Dorothy Montgomery

Somewhere in outer space, God has prepared a place For those who trust him and obey. Jesus will come again, although we don’t know when The countdown’s getting lower every day.

Chorus: Ten and Nine, Eight and Seven Six and Five and Four Call upon the Savior while you may. Three and Two He’s coming through The clouds in bright array The countdown’s getting lower every day.

We are living in uncertain times, and like the Disciples, our hearts can be troubled, concerned, worried, anxious, stressed, depressed. Jesus comes and he says…this is all temporary, the real life is still coming. But the life Christ refers to is for his followers, his disciples and the preparing of the house is for thiose who have accepted Christ into their lives.

Christ had to leave to be able to send the Holy Spirit but he also had to leave to prepare your place where you will spend eternity.