Family Worship Service (10) Title: "Jesus Returns to Heaven
Bible:
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After he 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.”
Dad:
Last week, we learned where the resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples. Today, we talk about how Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples before returning to heaven.
Mom:
Yes, that's right. James asked, "Why does Jesus not appear with the flesh after he went to heaven?" So, we wil think about that together as well. So let's begin with praise.
Prelude: “He's Alive, He's Alive”
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Sophia:
Jesus revealed His resurrection over and over again to His disciples. Jesus spoke to His disciples about the Kingdom of God for forty days.
Finally, the disciples were able to believe that Jesus was alive.
James:
However, the disciples asked, "Lord, Is this the time you will rebuild the nation for Israel? The disciples thought that Jesus was the Messiah, whom the Jews had long desired, was only a king who would make Israel independent of Roman rule and set up the nation of Israel to rule over the other countries.
They did not understand the "Kingdom of God" and "salvation" that Jesus meant.
Dad:
Jesus replied, "You don't need to know when the Father has established His authority. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power. And you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem, but also in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Then Jesus was lifted to heaven in front of their eyes from the place called Bethany and was greeted by a cloud that obscured his appearance. The disciples looked up into the sky for a long time.
Grace:
As they gazed at the sky for a long time, two men in white robes appeared and said, "Men of Galilee! Why do you stand looking up to heaven forever? This Jesus who has left and lifted to heaven will come again in the same appearance that you saw Him go up to heaven." They spoke and disappeared.
Dad:
The disciples returned to Jerusalem to a place called "The olive grove". The disciples lived in the inn, and they had been praying and praising together until the Holy Spirit came to them.
They were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Arpayo, Simon the Zealot, and Judas, the son of James. There were also women, specifically Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
If anyone wishes to listen to Japanese Voice Recording, click this.
Mom:
Thank you very much. I wonder what the disciples were doing while spending 40 days with Jesus. The Bible doesn't go into detail, but let's try to imagine it, shall we?
James:
The number 40 days are often mentioned in the Bible. For example, Moses spent 40 days in the wilderness after escaping from Egypt, and Jesus spent 40 days when he fasted.
Grace:
The ark of Noah in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament was also 40 days, wasn't it?
Dad:
That's right. I think there were many important events hidden in the number. God created the world in seven days, Jesus was resurrected in three days, and so on. But I don't think it's necessary to be so particular about numbers, though.
Mom:
I think that 40 days is certainly a common number for suffering and perseverance.
Jesus also fasted for 40 days when he was publicly preparing as the Messiah.
We can say it means the period of preparation before something important happens. Here, it could be seen as a period of final training for the disciples to correctly convey what Jesus had been teaching them. Jesus was near the disciples who were emotional and fearful.. He is wise and kind in every way.
Sophia:
Jesus is very kind. That's why I love Jesus!
Grace:
By the way, I think more people believed because they saw Jesus appear in flesh. But the body has its limitations, doesn't it? We can only see Him at that time.
Dad:
That's a good point.
Sophia:
By the way, God has never appeared to humans. Moses heard God's voice and saw appeared flames. We cannot see God.
Mom:
God brought Jesus into the world as a human being, an infant with a body. When Jesus was a baby, He was taken care of by His parents, just like us, and Jesus suffered all the pain as a human being. Jesus also felt hungry like a human being.
Jesus was a complete human being and the Son of God.
James:
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to the disciples. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would show Jesus more clearly. So, does it mean Jesus no longer had to be in human form?
Dad:
It's hard to know all, but I think it means that the “Era of the Holy Spirit" has finally arrived.
Mom:
According to the church calendar, May 28 (Sunday) is the anniversary of Pentecost.
We will talk about the story Pentecost on May 28.
We have the plan to think about the Old Testament stories for a month. Now, let's sing the praising song.
James, could you pray for us?
Prayer of James:
Yes, I will. Dear Father, today we learned the story of Jesus's return to heaven. We thank you that Jesus stayed with the disciples after Jesus's resurrection. We have never seen Jesus or touched with our hands like the disciples, but we know that Jesus is close to us. Please continue to help us to understand more and more of your words. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Postlude: "I Know That My Savior Loves Me”