Between the Bookends

In today’s teaching from the Book of Acts, the analogy of bookends is used to illustrate the journey of the church. The first "bookend" represents the beginning of the Christian mission, marked by the Ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:9, where He is lifted up into heaven, completing the rescue plan initiated in Genesis 3. This marks the culmination of God's promise to send Jesus to defeat sin and death, offering forgiveness and new life through His resurrection. Jesus' work is not just for His disciples but for all nations, as outlined in Luke 24:46-48.

The second "bookend" is the promise of Christ's return. As Jesus ascends, two angels appear, assuring the disciples that He will return in the same way He left, signaling the fulfillment of God's plan for the end times. In Luke 21:25-28, Jesus speaks of the signs that will precede His return, such as natural disasters and fear among the nations. However, He encourages believers to stand firm and look up, for their redemption is near. These two bookends—the Ascension and the promised return—frame the church's mission to spread the gospel between these moments, calling the faithful to rise and do God's work in the world.