Daily Devotions
Mark
Acts 5:41 "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." Acts 5:41"
Day 363 – Mark 16
“So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Acts 5:41
THE RETURN OF THE LORD JESUS TO HEAVEN
Mark concluded his Gospel on an important theological observation.
“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them,
He was received up into heaven,
and sat down at the right hand of God.”
MARK 16:19
1. The Lord speaking to the disciples
The post-resurrection teaching ministry of the Lord Jesus was carefully noted by all the Gospels. Luke went on to make this in the opening chapter of the Book of Acts.
“The former account I made, O Theophilus,
of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
until the day in which He was taken up,
after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments
to the apostles whom He had chosen,
to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering
by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days
and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
ACTS 1:1-3
a) A special period of 40 days
The further teaching of the disciples was spread out over a forty day period!
b) Infallible proofs of His resurrection
Jesus gave proof after proof to His disciples of His resurrection! He did not want them to be plagued by doubts!
c) The kingdom of God
Jesus began His ministry preaching the kingdom of God! He concluded His earthly ministry teaching on the same subject!
2. Received up into heaven
Once again, we are indebted to Luke who described the manner in which Jesus was received into heaven.
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched,
He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
ACTS 1:9
The earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus ended on a triumphant note! His ministry was not a failure, even though it entailed suffering that led to His death! His ministry was a total success. He had come to earth to seek and to save the lost. He laid down His own life to bring about salvation. Having accomplished His task He returned to heaven!