Ascension
Luke closes his Gospel with a farewell: “while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” What follows is not grief. The disciples worshipped, then “returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” Mark describes the same moment, saying Jesus “was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God,” and that his followers went out preaching. Revelation 11 pictures a similar rising, when a voice says “Come up hither.” Christians understand these passages in different ways, but each pairs a departure with gladness and a task. Luke 24:50-53 is the place to begin.
7 verses
Mark
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Luke
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Revelation
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.