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On The Mount of Olives
Devotional for Thursday, May 9, 2002 by Anne Russell
Acts 1:9-12 - After [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. (NIV)I was sitting at my computer, when I moved my chair and hit the wastebasket. Looking down at it, I decided I would empty it before I knocked it over. The basket was filled mostly with papers. All were slated for the garbage. There was nothing to be salvaged.
Fortunately, God has never looked upon us as something that couldn't be salvaged. That is why he gave his Son to die, just for us, that we might be saved.
The gospel is so simply laid out. All have sinned and everyone needs forgiveness. Jesus did it all; He provided forgiveness. All we have to do is repent and accept Jesus as our Saviour. This is something we need to do urgently.
I was reminded of this urgency recently when I was in Jerusalem and stood on the Mount of Olives, to the west of the city, overlooking the eastern gate. We can't all go to Jerusalem. But, in our minds, we can all journey there and imagine the sight of Christ ascending into heaven from the Mount of Olives, on that first Ascension Day, almost 2000 years ago. Two angels appeared to those who watched, and told them that Jesus would return the same way he left.
We know not the day or the hour that Christ will come back. But on that day, be prepared to travel home. Those who have put off receiving Christ, don't wait too long. Some day it will be too late.
Prayer: Lord, we look forward to the day of Christ's return. We pray that all whom You have called will come. And may we also be reminded to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Amen.
Anne Russell <anbrussell@rogers.com>
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
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Today's Music:
Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart.