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b'On Good Friday, many Christians remember how Jesus died on the cross for\\nour sins. Then on Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus\\u2019s resurrection\\u2014how He\\nrose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever! On Monday, lots of\\npeople resume everyday life\\u2014going back to school, friends, homework,\\npart-time jobs, sports\\u2014but Easter is not the end of the story.\\n.\\nWhen Jesus died on the cross, His followers were not only saddened, but\\nvery confused. Then He rose from the dead and showed Himself to His\\nfollowers, opening their minds to understand that the Messiah had to suffer\\non the cross and rise from the dead so that our sins could be forgiven and\\nwe could live with God forever (Luke 24:44-47). Then they finally\\nunderstood and were overjoyed!\\n.\\nBut that\\u2019s not the end of the story either. The ascension of Jesus\\nChrist\\u2014when He was taken up to heaven to sit at the right hand of the\\nFather\\u2014finishes up the most important series of events in the universe: the\\nSon of God died for our sins, rose on the third day, and ascended to\\nheaven. This end of the story is often overlooked, but it\\u2019s very important\\nbecause it answers the question, \\u201cWhat ever happened to Jesus after He rose\\nfrom the dead? Is He still wandering around earth somewhere? Did He die\\nagain?\\u201d It\\u2019s also important because after Jesus ascended, those who\\nbelieved in Him were given the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. The Holy\\nSpirit helps\\nus understand Scripture, gives us guidance and courage in proclaiming the\\ngospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, and distributes spiritual gifts. This\\nwondrous power of the Holy Spirit was given only after Jesus\\u2019s ascension.\\n.\\nJesus ascended to heaven, but one day He will return to earth and finally\\nrestore all of creation to perfect relationship with God (Revelation\\n21:1-5). Sometimes, we forget the importance of Jesus\\u2019s ascension, focusing\\nonly on the cross and the empty tomb. But the ascension finishes the story\\nof how the holy and loving God came to rescue us from our sins so that we\\ncould be with Him forever. \\u2022 Doug Velting\\n.\\n\\u2022 Read John 14:15-31 and John 16:5-22. Why is it a good thing that Jesus\\nascended?\\n.\\n\\u2022 As we wait for Jesus\\u2019s return, we can rest in His love and His promise to\\nbe with us always (Matthew 28:20). He is present with us through His\\nSpirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). What questions\\ndo you have about this? Who are trusted Christians you could ask?\\n.\\nSince we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the\\nSon of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:14 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nActs.1.3-Acts.1.11|Acts.2.32-Acts.2.33|Heb.4.14|Luke.24.44-Luke.24.53'