The End of the Story

On Good Friday, many Christians remember how Jesus died on the cross for

our sins. Then on Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’s resurrectionhow He

rose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever! On Monday, lots of

people resume everyday lifegoing back to school, friends, homework,

part-time jobs, sportsbut Easter is not the end of the story.

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When Jesus died on the cross, His followers were not only saddened, but

very confused. Then He rose from the dead and showed Himself to His

followers, opening their minds to understand that the Messiah had to suffer

on the cross and rise from the dead so that our sins could be forgiven and

we could live with God forever (Luke 24:44-47). Then they finally

understood and were overjoyed!

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But that’s not the end of the story either. The ascension of Jesus

Christwhen He was taken up to heaven to sit at the right hand of the

Fatherfinishes up the most important series of events in the universe: the

Son of God died for our sins, rose on the third day, and ascended to

heaven. This end of the story is often overlooked, but it’s very important

because it answers the question, What ever happened to Jesus after He rose

from the dead? Is He still wandering around earth somewhere? Did He die

again? It’s also important because after Jesus ascended, those who

believed in Him were given the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. The Holy

Spirit helps

us understand Scripture, gives us guidance and courage in proclaiming the

gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, and distributes spiritual gifts. This

wondrous power of the Holy Spirit was given only after Jesus’s ascension.

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Jesus ascended to heaven, but one day He will return to earth and finally

restore all of creation to perfect relationship with God (Revelation

21:1-5). Sometimes, we forget the importance of Jesus’s ascension, focusing

only on the cross and the empty tomb. But the ascension finishes the story

of how the holy and loving God came to rescue us from our sins so that we

could be with Him forever. Doug Velting

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Read John 14:15-31 and John 16:5-22. Why is it a good thing that Jesus

ascended?

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As we wait for Jesus’s return, we can rest in His love and His promise to

be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He is present with us through His

Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). What questions

do you have about this? Who are trusted Christians you could ask?

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Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the

Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:14 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Acts:1:3-Acts:1:11; Acts:2:32-Acts:2:33; Hebrews 4:14; Luke 24:44-Luke 24:53