So what would that have been like? Sure, seeing was believing, but I’m wondering if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. They thought they had lost Him to death . . . only to again encounter Him again as the foretold resurrected Christ . . . only then to, in a sense, lose Him again in the clouds . . . though, this time their “loss” didn’t result in mourning but in worship. So what would it have been like to have been standing with the disciples at the moment when Jesus was carried up into heaven? Did they get a crick in their neck?

Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53 ESV)

Those post-resurrection days were absolutely life altering for the disciples . . . and history changing for the world. So much of what they had been taught and had experienced while walking with Jesus’ through His three years of ministry must have come together in those days. That Jesus had died on that Roman cross was without dispute . . . but that He was alive and among them, was equally beyond argument.

During those days with the risen Christ, the Scriptures came together as they never had before. The risen Word of Life opened the Scriptures to them . . . and He opened their minds to the Scriptures . . . and, as a result, their hearts were never the same . . . they were set afire with the confirmation of revelation that their risen Master was indeed the One spoken of in “the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms” (24:32, 44-45).

And, during those days with the risen Christ, they were told of “next steps”. They were to wait “in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” . . . until Jesus had sent “the promise of my Father” upon them” (24:49). And then, as His witnesses, they were to take on a responsibility “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (24:47-48).

I can’t imagine that they fully grasped what lay before them . . . what world changing impact they would have. But in that moment, it was less about the future, I think, and all about the present. And that period of post-resurrection fellowship and teaching culminated with them watching Him ascend through the clouds, knowing He was going home . . . perhaps remembering that He had promised it would be their home too. And as they looked up . . . I’m wondering . . . would they have developed a crick in their neck?

And so, they watched as He was carried up into heaven. Separated again . . . but knowing that He would always be present.

And then . . . they worshiped . . . they returned to Jerusalem with great joy . . . and were continually in the temple blessing God (24:52-53) . . . and perhaps, nursing a sore neck.

Oh, may I too develop a crick in my neck . . . as I take time to look up . . . “seeking the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” . . . looking up, waaayy up . . . my mind fixed on the Ascended One . . . knowing that “when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4). And then might I worship . . . and rejoice with great joy . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory.