It was immediately after Jesus’ LAST WORDS to His disciples.
After saying to His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), Jesus was taken up in a cloud. They watched the whole thing. In fact, they strained to see Him rising into heaven until they could see Him no more.
Elijah and Elisha
This moment points back to a similar moment in the Old Testament when Elisha witnessed his mentor, Elijah, being taken up in a whirlwind, in a chariot of fire, into heaven.
In this Old Testament story, Elisha was called to serve as Elijah’s successor. With Elijah’s ministry coming to a close, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him. Elisha asked if he could inherit a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah told him it was a difficult request, but if Elisha witnessed when Elijah was taken away, it would be granted.
When Elijah was taken away in a whirlwind, Elisha kept his eyes on him until he could no longer see him. It was in this moment that Elijah’s mantle fell. When Elisha picked up Elijah’s mantle, he received what he had asked for. With a double portion of Elijah’s spirit now resting on him, Elisha began his ministry as Elijah’s successor.
Jesus and His Disciples
In the same way, Jesus’ disciples witnessed and strained to see Jesus rising into heaven until they could no longer see Him. Jesus’ mantle didn’t fall in this moment. Instead two angels suddenly stood among them and said, . . .
† “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:11 NRSV
Again, Jesus’ mantle didn’t fall in this moment. However, it would fall upon His disciples ten days later when Jesus took His seat in the place of honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. This would be the moment when Jesus’ mantle would fall as He poured out His Holy Spirit upon His disciples on the Day of Pentecost!
Let me send you off with this prayer and blessing:
May the Holy Spirit empower your life and ministry this day, as you seek to love and serve Him. May He give us all the grace to look forward with great anticipation to that moment when He returns in the same way those first disciples saw Him go! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.