[:en]Jesus Taken Up to Heaven (vs. 1-12)
Before Jesus was taken to heaven, He spent 40 days teaching His disciples and they became convinced of the Resurrection of Christ, learned about the kingdom of God and knew about the Holy Spirit as their source of power. For they will be His witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The resurrection had changed the disciples to become bold to face imprisonment, beatings, infliction and martyrdom. They risked their lives to spread the Good News.
Jesus told them that men when He returned to heaven, God’s kingdom would remain in the hearts of all believers through the presence of the Holy Spirit. And the Kingdom of God will be fully realized when He comes again to judge the world.
Jesus was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid Him from their sight. Suddenly 2 men dressed in white stood beside them and told them that Jesus will come back in the same way they saw Him go to heaven.
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas (vs. 12-20)
The eleven disciples returned to Jerusalem and met together and had a prayer meeting. They decided to choose a replacement of Judas Iscariot for the apostolic ministry. They prayed asking God to guide them in their selection process. Their criteria was one who had been with them the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among them beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up. They decided to cast lots between Joseph and Matthias and the lot fell on Matthias.
Summary:
When we believe in Jesus, we can receive His power through the Holy Spirit. We can join other Christians and take part in doing His work on earth. The resurrection of Christ gives us the confidence to witness for Him. God’s kingdom will remain in the hearts of all believers through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will comfort and guide us to know His truth. He will change us to become more like Christ. He will give us strength, courage, confidence, insight, and the ability to fulfill our mission.
God has important work for you and you must do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. As the disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. you also must wait for God’s complete instruction and time.
The apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas by asking God to guide the selection process. When we make important decision, we have to set up a criteria based on the Bible, examine the alternatives and pray for wisdom to reach a right decision.[:]