Waiting for His Return: The Meaning of Christ’s Departure
In the final episode of our Easter mini-series, we stand at the empty tomb with Mary Magdalene as she encounters the risen Christ. Her sorrow turns to awe, launching the first resurrection testimony. Peter and John discover signs of Jesus’ intentional departure, not theft. We follow Christ’s appearances—His presence transforming fear into faith, especially in Thomas' powerful confession. For forty days, Jesus prepares His followers, culminating in His ascension and their commission to make disciples. This isn't just history—it’s our mission as we live in hope, waiting for His return. Jesus still calls the unlikely. Will you answer His call?
The stone has been rolled away. The silence of death has been shattered by resurrection power. But this isn't the end of the story—it's the magnificent beginning of a new covenant that continues to unfold today, as we wait for His return.
In this final episode of our Easter mini-series, we stand outside the empty tomb alongside Mary Magdalene as she encounters the risen Christ. Her tears of grief transform into wonder when Jesus speaks her name, launching the first testimony of resurrection. We witness Peter and John discovering the folded burial cloths—not evidence of grave robbery but a deliberate message that the Master would return.
The narrative takes us through Christ's appearances to His disciples, including the powerful moment when Thomas places his fingers in Jesus' wounds and proclaims "My Lord and my God!" For forty days, the risen Jesus prepares His followers for what comes next, appearing on shores and roads, in homes and gathering places, teaching them about the Kingdom of God and their role within it.
The climax unfolds on the Mount of Olives as Jesus ascends to heaven before their eyes, commissioning them to "make disciples of all nations." The disciples who once hid in fear now stand gazing upward, forever changed by what they've witnessed. Angels remind them that this same Jesus will return just as He departed.
This isn't merely ancient history—it's the foundation of our mission today. Jesus didn't choose perfect people to carry His message; He chose ordinary fishermen, tax collectors, and doubters. He still calls the unlikely, equipping them for extraordinary purpose. The question isn't whether you're qualified but whether you'll respond to His call.
Where is Jesus asking you to go? What doors has He opened that you've hesitated to walk through? The disciples left that mountain with a promise—that Christ would be with them always. That promise extends to you.
Thank you for joining us in this episode of In the Field Audio Bible, where we explore the richness of God’s Word, one chapter at a time. We hope today’s reading brought insight, comfort, or inspiration to your journey of faith.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions! Feel free to send us a text to let us know how In the Field Audio Bible is impacting your faith journey. Until next time, may God’s Word guide and bless you.
00:42 - Introduction to Easter Mini-Series
03:02 - Mary Encounters the Risen Christ
08:09 - Peter and John Discover the Empty Tomb
15:02 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples
21:44 - Thomas Demands Proof
30:58 - Jesus Appears to Thomas
38:11 - The Great Commission and Ascension
46:31 - The Upper Room Reflections
55:28 - Our Call to Continue the Mission
In the Field Audio Bible:
Welcome to In the Field Audio Bible's Easter mini-series, The Kiss, The Cross and The Crown. My name is Christie, your host for this seventh and final episode called Waiting for His Return the Meaning of Christ's Departure. Over the course of these seven episodes, we have walked through the final days of Jesus Christ, from the moment of Judas' betrayal to Jesus' glorious ascension. We have witnessed His suffering, death and the unwavering fulfillment of prophecy. Tonight we stand outside the tomb that was supposed to hold Jesus' body, but instead it is empty. The stone has been rolled away and the silence of death has been shattered by the power of his resurrection. This is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new covenant, a promise of redemption and the ultimate victory over sin and death. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of earth damp with dew. As the first golden light of dawn stretched across the horizon, the garden tomb lay silent. Its stone door rolled away, the shadows within no longer holding death, only the folded linens of a Risen King.
In the Field Audio Bible:
Mary Magdalene's tears wouldn't stop as she fell to her knees just outside the tomb. She had lost him once to death and now it seemed she had lost him again. She lowered her head sobbing when suddenly a voice Woman, why are you weeping? She looked up. Two figures in white stood where Jesus had lain Angels. Her voice broke as she answered they have taken my Lord away and I don't know where they have put him. She turned then, pressing down with her grief like a weight upon her shoulders. Another figure stood just outside the tomb, the morning light casting a glow around him. He asked her again Woman, why are you weeping? Who is it you are looking for? She thought he was the gardener. Through her tears she pleaded, sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him. Then he said it Mary, one word, her name.
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Recognition struck like lightning. Her breath caught. Her heart nearly stopped. It was him Rabboni. She cried, throwing herself forward. But he lifted a hand stopping her. Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father, but go to my brothers and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.
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She stumbled backward, her hands covering her mouth, overwhelmed by the reality before her he was alive. Then her feet found their strength. She turned and ran Her eyes alight, with something far beyond excitement, something sacred, something sure. She had seen him. Not only was the tomb empty, but she had stood in the presence of the Risen Christ, she had spoken to him. He had called her by name.
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Her feet pounded against the earth, her breath coming in sharp gasp as she rushed toward the only ones who would understand, Peter and John, bursting through the door where the disciples had hidden themselves away. She cried out he's alive. I saw and spoke to him, the room filled with murmurs, the weight of uncertainty pressing in. All those who had followed him struggled to grasp the impossible, struggled to grasp the impossible. Peter and John exchanged a glance fear, confusion, hope. And then, without hesitation, they ran Down the winding path, past olive trees and stone walls, their sandals kicked up dust.
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As they raced toward the tomb, John, younger and faster, searched ahead. He reached the entrance first, his chest heaving, but hesitated. At the threshold, the tomb yawned open before him, dark and silent. Peering inside, he saw it the linen shroud, the cloth that had wrapped Jesus's body. But something was strange. The cloth was not discarded in haste. The strips of linen lay there undisturbed and the head covering folded neatly.
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Then Peter arrived. Never one to hesitate, he pushed past John, stepping straight into the tomb. His eyes darted from wall to wall, searching, and there, upon the stone where Jesus had lain, were the burial linens. There it was the burial cloth that had covered Jesus' face, carefully folded and set apart from the rest. This was no act of grave robbers. This was deliberate, intentional.
In the Field Audio Bible:
In Jewish tradition, when a master dined at the table, he would use his napkin to signal his servant. If he was finished with the meal, he would crumble the cloth and leave it on the table, signifying that the servant could clear the place. But if he folded it neatly and set it aside, it meant he was coming back. John stepped inside then, his cautious wonder turning to certainty, and at that moment he believed the tomb was empty. The tomb was not a scene of loss, it was a message, a promise. He is not here, he is risen.
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The folded cloth still lay there, its silent message burning in Peter's mind. His breath came in ragged gasps as he turned to John. Neither of them spoke, they couldn't. Words had lost meaning in the face of what they had just witnessed. Then instinct took over. They ran back through the garden, past snarled olive leaves and twisted vines. The morning air was cool against their sweat-drenched faces, but their minds burned with a singular thought we have to tell the others. Their feet pounded against the dusty roads of Jerusalem, weaving through the narrow streets, past merchants setting up their stalls, past women carrying water jugs. Some people turned to look at them Two men, breathless, wild-eyed, running, like men possessed. But there was no time to explain.
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The house was close now, a small, unassuming structure tucked away behind the bustling streets. They reached the door, Peter's hand shaking as he pounded against it. Inside, a dimly lit room held more than a dozen figures, shadows flickering against the walls as oil lamps burned low. The air was thick, not just the scent of old wood and burning oil, but with fear. The disciples gathered hidden away from the city that had just murdered their teacher.
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Andrew, Peter's brother was the first to reach the door. His eyes darted between Peter and John, seeing the sweat dripping from their faces, their chest rising and falling with every labored breath. What Peter didn't let him finish. He shoved his weight inside, gasping the tomb, it's empty. A stunned silence fell over the room. Every eye turned toward them. James, son of Zebedee, pushed up from where he had been seated. What do you mean empty? John stepped forward, his voice steadier than Peter's, but his hands still trembled. The linen was there, the cloth for his head. It was folded.
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The meaning hit some of them instantly, but others, others, were still trapped in the weight of their grief. No, Peter said shaking his head. No, that's not what this is. Someone didn't take him. He left.
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Matthew, who had been pacing, anxiously, stopped. Matthew, who had been pacing anxiously, stopped Mary, he whispered. Peter's brow furrowed what, Mary Magdalene? She was here before you. Matthew looked around, eyes searching the faces of the others. She said she saw him. The words landed like a hammer against stone. Bartholomew muttered. She was distraught. We all saw her when she left earlier. Maybe she was seeing things. Peter exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He could still hear her voice, frantic, desperate. I have seen the Lord John stepped closer into the dimly lit room, his voice quieter, now thick, with something between hope and fear, she said he spoke to her.
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The room was silent, except for the occasional pop of the oil lamp's flame. The weight of it all pressed against them, this unspoken tension between belief and doubt, this unspoken tension between belief and doubt, between hope and devastation. James the less shifted where he sat on the floor, his fingers gripping the edge of his robe. Then where is he? That was the question burning in all of their minds. If Jesus was alive, where was he?
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Peter turned toward the window, staring at the city beyond. The sun was climbing now, casting golden light across the rooftops, making the distant temple glow. Somewhere out there, jerusalem continued as if nothing had happened, as if the greatest miracle in history had not just unfolded. And then a creak of the door, a shuffle of movement and a voice Peace be with you. Voice, peace be with you. The sound was so familiar, so unmistakable, that the air in the room shifted, every breath caught, every heart stopped. They turned slowly, as if afraid to believe what their ears had just heard. And there, standing in their midst, no door opened, no footsteps heard. Was Jesus? Jesus, not a ghost, not an illusion. Jesus.
In the Field Audio Bible:
The wounds were still on his hands, the mark of the spear still upon his side. A choked sob escaped from one of them. Someone fell to their knees. Peter's hands trembled, his breath caught somewhere between a gasp and a cry. He had seen him crucified, he had watched him die, and yet here he stood. He looked at them with eyes full of knowing, full of love. Why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your hearts? He lifted his hands, palms open, revealing the scars. Touch me and see scars. Touch me and see. A spirit does not have flesh and bones. As you see, I have.
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No one spoke at first. No one could. It was too much, too overwhelming. But then John stepped forward and suddenly everything was true. Jesus had conquered death and the world. Their world would never be the same. This was only the beginning. The news of his resurrection spread like wildfire among his followers, whispers turning into shouts of astonishment, hope flickering into a blaze of certainty.
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The Risen Christ began to appear, first to the women, then to Peter and then to two travelers on the road to Emmaus, their hearts burning within them as he walked beside them, breaking bread and revealing the scriptures. And then, in the stillness of an upper room where the disciples had locked themselves away in fear, Jesus appeared. No door had opened, no footsteps had sounded, he was simply there. The room was heavy with silence, thick with disbelief, every breath held, every heartbeat pounded like a distant drum. And then Jesus spoke peace be with you. His voice. It was His voice, warm, steady, carrying a weight far beyond words. It washed over them, crashing against their fear, pulling them out of the storm of doubt like a lifeline.
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No one moved. Peter stood rigid, his breath stuck somewhere between a sob and a gasp. John's fingers twitched at his sides, as if afraid to reach for what his heart already knew. Andrew had pressed his back against the wall, eyes wide, lips parted. Matthew clutched his chest, as though steadying his heart. And then there was James, the son of Alphaeus, who slowly, hesitantly, fell to his knees, the realization crashing over him like a tidal wave.
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Jesus took a step closer. Why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your hearts? His gaze swept the room, meeting each pair of eyes, ones that had seen him suffer, ones that had watched him breathe his last. And yet here he was, alive, still. No one moved, and so, with deliberate slowness, he lifted his hands. The flickering oil lamps cast golden light over the raw, torn flesh of his palms. Then he turned them, revealing the wounds.
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The room pulsed with a collective gasp. Some covered their mouths, others blinked rapidly as tears filled their eyes. Look at my hands and my feet. Jesus continued stepping even closer. It is I myself. Touch me and see. A spirit does not have flesh and bones. As you see, I have Still hesitation. You see I have Still hesitation.
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John took a slow, shuddering breath. Then, before his mind could catch up, his feet moved. He reached out, fingertips barely grazing the ragged edge of the wound in Jesus's wrist. It was real. This wasn't an illusion, this wasn't a dream.
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And suddenly the dam broke. Laughter, disbelieving laughter bubbled from some, mixed with gasp, with tears, with cries of Lord Master. Peter, who had once sworn to never abandon him, now knelt his shoulders shaking. Nathaniel clutched the arm of Philip as though he might collapse. Matthew wiped his face, whispering my Lord, my God. The sound of awe and wonder filled the room. Now, pure, unrestrained joy. And Jesus, pure, unrestrained joy. And Jesus, he smiled. Do you have anything to eat? He asked.
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For a brief moment, confusion flickered across their faces. Then James, Jesus' own brother, hurried to the small wooden table where dried fish and honeycombs sat in clay bowls. His hands trembled as he picked them up. Turning towards Jesus, Jesus took the food from him, held it for a moment and ate. Not only was he alive, he was real Flesh, bone, resurrected. A fresh wave of emotion rolled over them. The grave could not hold him. Death had no power over him. He swallowed the last bite and turned his gaze back to them. The joy in the room stilled once more. As they waited.
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These are my words, that I spoke to you while I was still with you. Jesus said, his voice steady, full of authority, that everything written about me and the law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. He lifted his hands again, not to show the wounds this time, but to bless them. And at that moment, something beyond the room, beyond the physical, happened. Their minds opened, a veil lifted. Every prophecy, every scripture, every word he had ever spoken, it all made sense. Thus it is written.
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Jesus continued that the Christ should suffer and, on the third day, rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. He let the weight of those words settle. You are witnesses of these things. He let the weight of those words settle. You are witnesses of these things. Their hands clenched, their breaths unsteady. They had seen him die, they had watched him buried, and now they were looking into the eyes of the resurrected king. And behold, Jesus continued Stay, wait. He had more to give them, more to reveal. But even as his words settled in their hearts, another question burned in the back of their minds, one that none had yet dared to ask aloud when is Thomas?
In the Field Audio Bible:
The room fell quiet. Thomas, one of their own was absent. Thomas, one of their own was absent. Peter exhaled, running a hand down his face. He knew Thomas well, a thinker, a questioner. If he had been here, would he have believed so easily, or would he have needed to see for himself? Jesus glanced around the room, his knowing gaze resting on each of them, before he spoke again. Needed to see for himself. Jesus glanced around the room, his knowing gaze resting on each of them, before he spoke again. Do not be afraid. And just as suddenly as he had appeared, he was gone. No creak of the door, no whisper of movement. One moment he was there, the next, only silence. The disciples sat in stunned stillness, hands still trembling, minds reeling. Then, without hesitation, Peter turned to the door Find Thomas. The room still pulsed with the weight of what had just happened. Jesus had been here. The Risen Christ had stood among them, his voice still echoing off the walls, his presence lingering in their hearts like fire. But Thomas had not been there, and now they had to find him.
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Peter was the first to move. His body still thrummed with the rush of adrenaline, his heart still pounding from the sheer impossibility of what his eyes had seen, he shoved open the door, stepping out into the cool night air, the city of Jerusalem stretching out before him in flickering lantern light. Where would he go? John asked. Close behind, Peter didn't answer immediately. His mind raced, sorting through every moment of Thomas, his steady nature, his sharp mind, his questions, his doubts. Then it hit him he's probably where we were before. Peter muttered the place we've been staying, the house near the market. Without another word, the two of them set off.
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The streets were quieter now, but there was still movement. People whispered in corners, rumors of the crucifixion still on their lips. Roman soldiers patrolled, their torches, casting long shadows against the walls. Peter's pace quickened. Thomas had to know he had to hear it from us. He has to believe. The house was just ahead now, a small structure tucked between large buildings. Peter reached the door, first pounding against it with the side of his fist.
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Thomas open up Silence, then slow footsteps, a faint creak of the wood floor inside and finally the door cracked open. Thomas stood there, his eyes dark, flickering between Peter and John, confusion written across his face. His tunic was slightly wrinkled, his hands ink-stained from whatever he had been writing or reading earlier. What is it? He asked his voice wary. What is it? He asked his voice wary. Peter didn't wait. We saw him. Thomas blinked. Who? Peter stepped forward, gripping his shoulder. Jesus, John nodded fervently. He was here, Thomas. He stood right in front of us. We heard him, we touched him. He is alive, front of us. We heard him, we touched him. He is alive.
In the Field Audio Bible:
But Thomas didn't move. His expression remained unreadable, his lips pressing into a thin line. Then, slowly, he shook his head. No, Peter's stomach dropped. Thomas exhaled sharply, stepping back, rubbing his temple as trying to will away the words they were saying. I can't. His voice faltered, but then he steadied himself. I can't believe that. John took a step closer. Thomas, listen to me. No, his voice was firmer now. Listen to me. No, his voice was firmer now. His hands clenched at his sides. Unless I see the marks in his hands, unless I put my finger where the nails were, unless I place my hand in his side, he shook his head again. Eyes dark with sorrow. I will not believe silence. Peter swallowed hard. He wanted to argue, he wanted to shake Thomas until he understood. But how could he? Hadn't he doubted at first? Hadn't they all been too afraid to hope, too crushed by grief to believe? John, let out a slow breath, glancing at Peter, and quietly, he said Come with us. Thomas hesitated, his jaw tightened, but finally, with a reluctant sigh, he stepped out into the night and together they returned to the others.
In the Field Audio Bible:
Eight Days, eight days, the disciples waited. They stayed together, speaking of nothing but him. But Jesus did not return, not yet. Thomas heard every story, every detail from the others. He listened silent as they described his voice, his face, his words of peace. But in the dark of the night, when the others slept, Thomas wrestled. Could it be? Could he truly be alive? And if he was, why hadn't he come back?
In the Field Audio Bible:
Then, on the eighth night, it happened. The doors were locked, the disciples sat together in the same dimly lit room, lamps casting golden halos against the walls. The air was thick, with whispered conversations, quiet prayers. Thomas sat near the edge, arms crossed, lost in thought. And then it was as if time shifted. A sudden stillness fell over the room, thick and heavy, pressing against their chests. The flames of the lamps barely flickered and yet an invisible wind seemed to stir the very air. And in the space between one breath and the next, he was there no creak of the door, no sound of footsteps, just Him, Jesus, standing in their midst. Again, the air in the room crackled with holy reverence. Someone gasped, someone fell to their knees, but Thomas Thomas felt his breath catch.
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Jesus turned to him, his eyes deep, knowing, walking onto his Peace. Be with you, he said, his voice steady, filled with something far beyond mere words. Then he stepped forward, slowly, deliberately, right to Thomas. No one spoke, no one moved, and then, with infinite tenderness, jesus lifted his hand palm open, scars visible. Palm open, scars visible. Put your finger here.
In the Field Audio Bible:
The room tilted around Thomas, see my hands. Jesus reached for Thomas' hand, guiding it gently toward the wound. The torn flesh beneath his fingertips was real. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Thomas' fingers trembled as they traced the scar where the spear had pierced him. Warmth Flesh, life. Stop doubting and believe.
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The words broke something in Thomas. His knees gave out and he collapsed before him. Tears blurred his vision. His whole body shook, hands gripping the hem of Jesus' robe as if to keep himself from falling apart completely. His voice came in a whisper, raw, broken undone, my Lord and my God. Jesus smiled Because you have seen me, you have believed. His fingers brushed Thomas' damp cheek, a gesture filled with love. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed the weight of those words settled into the very foundation of the room, because this moment was not just for them, it was for generations to come, for all who would believe without seeing. For us, and just as before, in the blink of an eye Jesus was gone, but this time, Thomas believed.
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The room remained silent long after Jesus had vanished. The only sounds were the crackling of oil lamps and the unsteady breaths of those who had just seen the Risen Christ. Again, Thomas was still kneeling, his hands trembling where they had touched the wounds of the living Savior. His lips moved but no sound came out. His mind struggled to grasp it. It was real. The others had told the truth, Jesus had risen. But now a new question settled into the air like a morning mist what happens next? No one slept that night.
In the Field Audio Bible:
They sat together, huddled on the worn wooden floor in the glow of flickering lanterns. Peter paced his sandals scuffing against the stone, stopping every few moments to shake his head in disbelief, stopping every few moments to shake his head in disbelief. John sat cross-legged hands clasped in his lap, his eyes shimmering with something between joy and awe. James leaned against the wall, his fingers tracing the grain of the wood, lost in thought. And Thomas. Thomas could hardly speak when the first streaks of dawn filtered through the window.
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Mary, the mother of Jesus, entered quietly, her veil draped over her hair, her face soft, with an understanding gaze. He is coming again, she whispered, kneeling beside them. He will not leave you as orphans. Peter swallowed hard. He had denied Jesus, failed him at his most desperate hour. And yet here he was included, witnessing a miracle.
In the Field Audio Bible:
A knock at the door jolted them. Fear flashed across their faces. Was it the temple guards, the Pharisees, the same ones who had called for Jesus' death? John moved, first carefully, unlatching the door, and then a voice, a familiar, steady voice Peace be with you. And there he was, Jesus, standing in the morning light, his robe draping closely over his frame, his hair falling over his shoulders. But he was different. This was not the same Jesus who had walked the roads of Galilee, dusty and weary from long journeys. No, this was the Risen Christ. Light seemed to cling to him, a quiet radiance that pulsed like a heartbeat. His wounds still there, still visible, but no longer signs of pain but of victory, of pain but of victory. The room exhaled, some gasped, some wept, and then Jesus smiled. Come and eat, he said.
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For the next 40 days everything changed. Jesus did not stay in one place, he appeared everywhere. One evening he walked with two men on the road to Emmaus, speaking with them, revealing the scriptures, until they realized it was him. And just as their eyes were opened, he disappeared. Another day he stood at the shore of the Sea of Galilee as Peter and several disciples fished. It had been a long, fruitless night. Their nets emptied, their hearts uncertain. Then a voice from the shore called Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. They obeyed and suddenly the nets were overflowing. John was the first to realize it is the Lord. Peter, without hesitation, threw himself into the sea, swimming to Jesus with all the force his body could muster.
In the Field Audio Bible:
And there on the shore, Jesus had already prepared breakfast fish roasting over an open fire, the scent of bread filling the morning air. They sat together eating in the warmth of the rising sun. No one asked if it was really him. They knew. Then Jesus turned to Peter. Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter's breath caught in his throat. He remembered the courtyard, the servant girl, the three denials. Yes, lord, Peter answered. You know that I love you. Feed my lambs. A second time, a third time, the words came like waves, each washing away Peter's shame, replacing it with purpose. Follow me. And Peter did.
In the Field Audio Bible:
For 40 days, jesus continued to teach them, appearing in homes, on roads, in the open fields where they had once walked together. He spoke of the kingdom of God, of the things yet to come, of the Spirit who would soon come upon them with power. Each encounter strengthened them, each moment filled them with a certainty they had never known before. But still, there was one last meeting. There was one last meeting.
In the Field Audio Bible:
The wind whispered through the olive trees, their silvery leaves rustling like a heavenly chorus. As Jesus stood before them, his robe catching the light of the midday sun, the air was thick with something unseen, something sacred. It was as if time itself had slowed the very fabric of the earth bending to witness what was about to unfold. The disciples, every last one, stood in a tight circle around him, their sandals pressing into the dry earth, their faces lifted to the teacher they had followed for years. Peter, hands clenched at his sides, felt the weight of the moment pressing into his chest.
In the Field Audio Bible:
The same man who had once been so reckless, who had denied Jesus in fear, now stood firm, his heart pounding like a drum in his ribcage. John, the ever-beloved, watched intently, his dark eyes reflecting the radiant glow that seemed to emanate from the very body of Christ Thomas. He stood with his hands lightly touching the hilt of his belt, no longer doubting but filled with unwavering certainty. Mary, the mother of Jesus, stood among them, veiled in soft linen, her face serene yet deeply moved. She had walked this road with him from the moment Gabriel had spoken to her as a young girl with him, from the moment Gabriel had spoken to her as a young girl. Now, she watched as her son, her savior, prepared to step fully into his divine glory. The women, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, stood together, eyes brimming with tears. They had seen him suffer, watched as his body was broken, wept over his lifeless form, and now, now, they beheld him alive in a way no earthly man had ever been before.
In the Field Audio Bible:
Jesus lifted his hands and in that instant everything changed. The wind picked up, swirling dust at their feet as he spoke. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. His voice was steady, strong. It did not waver, it did not break. It carried through the valley, echoing down the hillside, as if the very stones themselves were listening. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, he commanded, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, the words struck deep. This was their purpose, this was their calling Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.
In the Field Audio Bible:
A hush fell over them as he continued, his gaze sweeping across each face, his love for them as evident as the air they breathed. And surely, he said, a gentle smile breaking across his lips, I am with you always, to the very end of the age. A warmth spread through them, wrapping around their souls like a promise carved into eternity itself. But even as he spoke, something shifted. The very air began to change, charged with something unseen, something holy. The ground no longer felt solid beneath their feet, their breaths caught, their eyes widened and then Jesus' feet lifted from the earth. At first it was subtle, a lightness, an upward pull, as if he were standing on the very breath of God. Then, before their very eyes, he rose. His robe fluttered, not from the wind, but from something else, a power, an unseen force that carried him higher, higher into the sky. The disciples could do nothing but watch, their hands gripped their garments, some pressing fists to their chest, others whispering his name in awe. Higher he went, the light around him growing brighter. His face still turned toward them, his expression unchanging, peaceful, knowing the sky itself seemed to part. A great cloud descended, not a dark storm cloud, but something pure, radiant, golden, golden. It enveloped him, wrapping around his form like a royal procession, leading a king into his heavenly throne. And then he was gone For what felt like hours.
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They stood unmoving, their eyes locked on the heavens. Had it really happened, was he coming back down? Would they hear his voice again? The wind was the only sound, now whispering through the olive trees. The city of Jerusalem lay in the distance, unaware of what had just taken place on this sacred hill. Their chest rose and fell, their minds racing, their hearts aching, not from sorrow but from something deeper, a longing, a yearning. And then, men of Galilee, why do you stand? Looking into the sky? The voice it startled them. They turned sharply.
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Two men stood before them, their garments gleaming like lightning their faces, calm, filled with knowing this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go. The words sent a shudder through them. Peter took a step forward. His fingers curled tightly at his sides. His throat was dry, his pulse hammering. John let out a slow, steady breath. Mary closed her eyes, a small peaceful smile tugging at her lips. The realization settled over them all like a warm mantle. He was gone, but he was coming again, and until that day they would go, they would preach, they would carry his name to the ends of the earth. Without another word, they turned back toward the city. The road was the same, but they were not. They walked with purpose, their sandals kicking up dust, their hearts burning with the fire of a mission that would never fade. Because now they understood this was not the end, it was only the beginning.
In the Field Audio Bible:
The conversation in the upper room means processing the impossible. The dim glow of the oil lamps flickered against the stone walls of the upper room, the scent of burning wicks mingled with the lingering traces of bread and fish from their earlier meal. Outside, the distant sounds of Jerusalem carried through the night. Voices of merchants closing their stalls, the faint clatter of hooves against the stone streets. But inside, within these four walls, the world felt different. The air was thick with disbelief, wonder and something else, something they dared not name.
In the Field Audio Bible:
Yet Peter sat at the low wooden table, his elbows resting on the rough grain of the wood, fingers curled into his beard. His brows were furrowed, his eyes dark with thought Across from him. John leaned forward, arms resting on his knees, his face alight with something Peter couldn't quite place Peace perhaps. Or was it something deeper? Or was it something deeper? Andrew, Bartholomew and Matthew sat cross-legged on the floor, their hands gesturing in the lamplight as they murmured to one another. Near the doorway, James, the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus, stood, arms crossed, heads shaking every so often in wonder. Thomas sat alone near the window, his back against the cool stone wall. Shadows played across his face as he stared at the flickering flame before him, lost in thought. And then there was Mary, the mother of Jesus, her hands folded in her lap, her face serene, though her eyes glistened in the low light. She had said little since Jesus left, but her presence alone was a comfort.
In the Field Audio Bible:
Philip let out a slow, shaky breath. I still don't understand, he murmured. He was here. We saw him, but how? How can he be alive after what we saw on that hill? Matthew rubbed a hand over his face. I keep thinking about his hands, his voice, quiet, almost reverent. The scars. They were there, but it was him. It wasn't a ghost. I don't know how to make sense of it.
In the Field Audio Bible:
John smiled faintly, shaking his head. I don't know how to make sense of it. John smiled faintly, shaking his head. I don't think we're meant to make sense of it. Matthew, it's who he is. He told us this would happen. He told us he would rise again. His voice softened and yet none of us believed it until we saw him standing among us.
In the Field Audio Bible:
Peter exhaled sharply and pushed back from the table, running a hand through his thick hair. I should have known, he muttered, his voice edged with frustration. I should have known he turned away, staring at the wall as if looking for answers in the rough stone. After everything, after everything I did, I failed him. A silence fell over the room. The weight of Peter's words settled in the air like an unspoken grief. The weight of Peter's words settled in the air like an unspoken grief. John stood and stepped toward him, placing a hand on his shoulder. You think he didn't know, you think he didn't see everything that happened. Peter, he came to us, to you. Do you not remember the way he looked at you? There was no anger, no disappointment, only love. Peter clenched his jaw, his throat, working against the emotions rising within him. Mary spoke then, her voice steady but gentle, Simon Peter, he turned his eyes, meeting hers. He called you by name, she said softly he calls all of us by name. Name, not in anger, not in judgment, but in love. The words settled deep in his chest, like a warm ember, rekindling something that had nearly gone cold. James, the son of Zebedee, ran a hand through his beard, his expression pensive. I can't stop thinking about what he said before he left us tonight. He glanced at the others. As the Father has sent me, so I send you, Andrew nodded, his brows drawn together. What does it mean? What does he want us to do now? Philip, let out a short, almost breathless laugh. What does he want us to do? He just gave us his peace, breathed his spirit over us and told us to go out as he was sent. I think it's clear. Bartholomew shook his head in amazement. Us, we are just fishermen, a tax collector, ordinary men. Thaddeus interjected a quiet certainty in his tone. We were ordinary, but after tonight he exhaled, shaking his head no, my brothers, we can never be ordinary again. The room fell silent. The truth hung heavy in the air, unspoken but deeply understood Everything had changed Everything. Thomas, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke his voice, barely above a whisper. Barely above a whisper. I want to believe, he admitted. I want to, but I did not see what you saw tonight. I did not hear his voice or touch his hands. His eyes flickered to John. Then Peter, you say he was here. You say he lives, his fingers curled into his tunic. But until I see, until I place my hands on his wounds, I cannot believe. His words fell into the silence like a stone into deep waters. A few of the disciples exchanged uneasy glances, but no one rebuked him. Mary studied Thomas carefully before speaking, her voice filled with understanding. Thomas, she said gently you are not alone in your doubts. We all doubted until he stood before us. John nodded and he will come again, Thomas, he will. Thomas inhaled slowly, staring down at the flickering oil lamp. The golden light danced in his eyes and yet the shadow of doubt remained. He wanted to believe, but he needed to see, and though none of them knew it yet, soon Jesus would return, and this time Thomas would see. The echoes of that upper room still linger in your mind the flickering oil lamps, the hushed voices filled with awe and wonder, the weight of the moment pressing upon every heart. You stood there, unseen yet present, watching as the disciples wrestled with belief and doubt, with fear and faith. Then, the Mount of Olives, the place where heaven touched earth, you saw their faces lifted in wonder, their breath caught in their throats, as Jesus, the one they had walked beside broken bread with and seen crucified, ascended in power and glory. You felt the trembling in their hands, the racing of their hearts. But what happens now? What happens when the miracles fade into memory, when the teacher is no longer standing in front of them, guiding their every step? It's the same question you must ask yourself today. You must ask yourself today. You have seen Jesus move, not just in scripture, not just in history, but in your own life. You have witnessed his love, his mercy, his power to restore what was broken. But now that you have seen this, what will you do? Will you keep this story in your heart like a treasured possession, hidden away for your own comfort, or will you, like Peter, John and the others, carry it forward? When Jesus said, go and make disciples of all nations, he wasn't just speaking to the eleven on that mountain, he was speaking to you. He was speaking to the mother who prays over her children at night, to the father striving to lead his family in faith. To the young woman searching for her purpose. To the man who wandered far, wondering if God still calls his name. To the weary soul who questions could he really use someone like me? Jesus did not choose perfect men to carry his message. He chose fishermen, tax collectors, skeptics and failures. And he still chooses the unlikely, the unqualified, the broken. Because he does not call the equipped, he equips the called. So I ask you, where is Jesus calling you? What doors has he already opened that you've been afraid to walk through? Who in your life needs to hear about the love and power of the Risen Christ? What excuses have kept you from stepping fully into the mission he has placed before you? The disciples didn't have all the answers. They didn't leave that mountain with a perfect plan, but they left with a promise the promise of his spirit, the promise of his return and the assurance that they would never be alone, and neither are you. This is not the end of the story. This is the beginning of your mission The Kiss, The Cross and The Crown. Now it's your turn Go and make disciples until he returns. Thank you for joining me tonight as we journeyed through this final episode of The Kiss, The Cross and The Crown. I pray that you carry these reflections with you into your day, into your week, that you carry these reflections with you into your day, into your week, and that you find strength in knowing God is with you in every trial, every temptation and every step of obedience. If this time in God's Word has encouraged you, take a moment to share it with someone who might need it, and be sure to join me next time as we continue walking through the scriptures, learning, growing and staying faithful in the field of life. Until next time, may you find peace in the quiet trust in God's call and rest in His unchanging love. This is In the Field Audio Bible, where we listen to the Bible one chapter at a time. Thank you for listening to The Kiss, The Cross and The Crown, brought to you by In the Field Media, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to sharing the message of faith through the spoken word within the field audio Bible, uplifting worship on W F W R In the Field Worship Radio and inspiring Christian programming on In the Field TV. If this mini series has blessed you, we invite you to support future series with a tax-deductible donation at www. inthefieldaudiobible. com/ donate. Every contribution goes directly to this digital ministry, helping spread the gospel to hearts around the world. From all of us at In the Field Media, thank you for being a part of this journey. May God's grace and peace be with you always.
