February 28

“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.” — Acts 1:11 BSB

The last view this earth had of Jesus before He ascended was as He blessed His friends. His hands were stretched out in blessing, and that remains His posture toward the world today.

Jesus lives forever as our Intercessor before God. He holds all our concerns in His hands. Even though we don’t see Him, He is always with us. His ascension wasn’t a loss for the earth. When His disciples stood gazing after Him as He ascended, they were told to stop and return to their work. "Why do you stand here looking into the sky?" They were called to prayer, and soon afterward, the Holy Spirit came, and they went out to do their work.

We, too, must focus on our duties and avoid wasting time in idle gazing. We don’t need to look to the stars to find Christ—He is always near, closer than our closest friend.