They bowed down and worshiped Him, then they returned to Jerusalem with joy (Luke 24:52)
Once upon a time there was a farewell party that was really unusual. Jesus who had just risen from the grave was standing there. Besides Him, His followers also stood, who listened to His sermon as before. At that time Jesus spoke about the coming of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49), and about their new assignment to be His witnesses.
Then something strange happened. Luke says that Jesus took His disciples out of town as far as Bethany (v. 50), and when he blessed them, He "was taken up into heaven" (v. 51). Mark says, "He was taken up into heaven, and sat at the right hand of God" (16:19).
The ascension of Jesus to heaven is amazing. But what happened next was also extraordinary. The disciples were no longer sad even though Jesus was gone, on the contrary their purpose in life was renewed. They worshiped Him (Luke 24:52). They returned joyfully to Jerusalem, where they prayed together (Acts 1:12-14). Then after they all received the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), they went and preached in various places (Mark 16:20).
Even though Jesus has ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit makes His presence real for us, so that we too can worship, pray, and be witnesses of Him as the disciples did centuries ago. Here are the best things that can be done in response to what Jesus has done for us: Worship. Pray. Testify-JDB
* Take from Daily Reflections