Amazing Hope and Comfort

‘Ye shall be witnesses unto me’ (Acts 1:8)

This is what the book of Acts is all about, and Luke presents it very well.

Before Jesus went to heaven to sit on the right hand of God (2:34, from Psalm 110:1), He told His disciples to be witnesses, but before they were to go out, they had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them (1:5,8). This was the promise of the Father, and when we come to Jesus and repent of our sins, we will also receive this promise (2:38,39).

‘And when He had spoken … He was taken up’ (Acts 1:9)

This is amazing in itself, but the disciples were worried and concerned. They were probably thinking, “is that it? Will He come back?”

But the Lord knows our thoughts, and our worries. And He knew their thoughts, so two angels appeared unto them.

Now, you’ll remember that there was another appearance of two angels before this.

After Jesus’ death, the beloved women had come to the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. They found the stone, which was so very heavy, rolled away from the door, and the body of Jesus wasn’t there. These women were mourning because of the loss of their dear Lord Jesus, and now the loss of the body made it worse.

Perhaps you might be feeling like these women, losing a dear one. I know how you feel because just last week, my grandfather, Craig, also passed away.

But God knows how you are feeling, and He grieves with you.

Unto these women, God sent two angels with a message of hope and comfort: “He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:6).

Now, back in Acts, He sends two angels with a message of hope and comfort for the disciples: “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

And for you and me, there hope and comfort as well: hope in a risen Saviour, alive forever more , and comfort in the promise of His coming:

‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-3)