Taken Up
W. Johnson. Acts 1:9-12 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.… How we talk about "up," took "up" I What eager, earnest; faces are looking up through the clouds of sorrow. The atmosphere above us seems palpitant with the hopes and aspirations of hearts below. The secret of this is, God is "up," and Jesus was taken "up." Note — I. THAT THE DEPARTED GOOD ARE "TAKEN UP." Jesus promised that the disciples should follow Him (John 14:2-5); and all good spirits find their higher level. Heaven is the rendezvous of all goodness, the barn of God into which He gathers His grain. Our loved ones are not far away, only the cloud separates us. But Jesus was not taken up until "He had spoken these things," i.e., finished His work. When we have done that, like Him, we shall be taken up to our reward. II. THAT GOD SUPPLIES THE PLACE OF THE DEPARTED GOOD (ver. 10). Jesus went up and the angels came down; and they took His place beside the desolate disciples, and who knows but that they hovered about until the Holy Ghost supplied the Master's place. So it is. If God takes Moses, He brings up Joshua; if He takes up Elijah, Elisha catches his falling mantle. This law of compensation is seen all through nature, human life, and religion. III. THAT THE DEPARTED GOOD SHALL COME AGAIN (ver. 11). This was the disciples' comfort in regard to the departed Christ. "This same Jesus." So "they that sleep in Jesus shall God bring with Him." Do not grieve then that the grave has closed upon them. (W. Johnson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. WEB: When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.