April 2nd Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

GOD’S MESSENGERS DELIVER GOD’S MESSAGE  

 Acts 1:10-11 “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.” 

God angels play a significant role in His plan of salvation. First, He sent an angel to Mary to announce to her that she would become pregnant with Jesus. That angel also told her to give Him the name Jesus, which means “the saving one.” Angels announced Jesus’ birth to shepherds outside of Bethlehem. (Luke 2:8-14) An angel ministered to Jesus during the deepest moment of His agony and pain as He took upon Himself the sins of humanity. (Luke 22:43) God used an angel to announce Jesus’ resurrection to the women at the tomb. (Matthew 28:2-7) And, now in today’s devotional verse two angels appear as Jesus is ascending into heaven giving Jesus’ disciples the message, “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.” 

The Lutheran Study Bible has the following note: “Therefore, do not let the evil one lock Jesus in the past or reduce His ministry to you now. Boldly pray to Jesus, and acknowledge Him as your Lord. Your good standing today and your eternal tomorrow flow from Jesus’ victory over the grave and His enthronement at the Father’s right hand.” 

Prayer: Lord, increase our faith in Jesus’ past, present, and future triumph, and make us bold witnesses to Him in every facet of our lives. Amen. [Prayer is taken from Lutheran Study Bible) 

See, the Lord ascends in triumph; Conqu’ring King in royal state,  
Riding on the clouds, His chariot, To His heav’nly palace gate.  
Hark! The choirs of angel voices Joyful alleluias sing,  
And the portals high are lifted To receive their heav’nly King. 

Who is this that comes in glory With the triumph of jubilee?  
Lord of battles, God of armies, He has gained the victory.  
He who on the cross did suffer, He who from the grave arose,  
He has vanquished sin and Satan; He by death has crushed His foes. 

While He lifts His hands in blessing, He is parted from His friends;  
While their eager eyes behold Him, He upon the clouds ascends.  
He who walked with God and pleased Him,   
Preaching truth and doom to come.   
He, our Enoch, is translated To His everlasting home.  

Now our heav’nly Aaron enters With His blood within the veil;  
Joshua now is come to Canaan, And the kings before Him quail.  
Now He plants the tribes of Israel In their promised resting place;  
Now our great Elijah offers Double portion of His grace.  

He has raised our human nature On the clouds to God’s right hand;  
There we sit in heav’nly places, There with Him in glory stand.  
Jesus reigns, adored by angels; Man with God is on the throne.  
By our mighty Lord’s ascension We by faith behold our own.

See, the Lord Ascends in Triumph // LSB 494