Jesus’ truth spread | Ascension and Pentecost

Jesus born. Jesus died. Jesus risen… More than two thousand years ago. Who still believes that nowadays? How is it possible that such an ‘old’ story still lives on in people and that this message is still being spread across the earth? 

After His resurrection, Jesus remained on earth for forty more days. He regularly appeared to His followers. He encouraged them, for they were afraid and filled with questions and doubts. The crucifixion of Jesus was, at first, incomprehensible to them. They had even tried to prevent it. When that failed, they all fled. Until Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared to them and they were reminded of Jesus’ words about His suffering and death. Only then did they begin to understand that it had to happen this way. The death of Jesus was the only way to salvation; their salvation and that of many others.   

ASCENSION  

After forty days, Jesus took His followers to a mountain. There He spoke His final words to them: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go out into this world and tell others about Me. So that they too may long for a life with God and want to become My followers. Baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and continue to teach them. And know: I am with you always, until this world has reached its purpose.’ After these words, Jesus left the earth and was taken up into heaven. For us, heaven is an invisible reality. It is the place where God dwells and where all believers will one day be. Jesus is also there, and from there He rules the world.  

PENTECOST 

His followers were left with a clear mission: to share this good news everywhere. But how were they to do that? Fortunately, Jesus had already said: ‘I am returning to My Father in heaven, but I will not leave you alone. I will send Another to comfort you, God the Holy Spirit. He will guide you into all truth. He will bring this mission to a good end in and through you. Wait until He has come.’ 

For ten days, the followers of Jesus waited and prayed. Then the Holy Spirit came during the Feast of Pentecost, the festival in which the first harvest of the season was celebrated. During this feast, the followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit. They told everyone about the coming of Jesus and the purpose of His suffering, death, and resurrection from the dead.   

Read more about the Second Coming.