This past Tuesday, around 5:50 p.m. ET, I tuned in to watch the long-awaited return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore. Originally scheduled to spend just eight days in space, they had instead spent nine months aboard the International Space Station.

The sight of four vibrant parachutes unfurling against the backdrop of a bright blue sky dotted with wisps of clouds painted a stunning image of their gentle descent into the calm waters off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. After orbiting Earth 4,576 times, no doubt they were eager to reunite with their families and loved ones.

I couldn't help but think back to June 5, 2024, when their families and friends watched the Boeing Starliner lift off, believing they'd see them return after just eight days. This reminded me of the anticipation mirrored that of the Apostles as they gazed up at Jesus Christ ascending into heaven, expecting His return. This moment is captured in the first chapter of Acts.

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

— Acts 1:9, NKJV

The Apostles, no doubt filled with hope, must have thought Christ’s return would come not too far into the future. Yet, they were not told how long it would take for Him to come back, only that He would return in the same way He had departed.

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

— Acts 1:11, NKJV

We may share in the Apostles' anticipation of Christ’s return, but have you ever considered His own anticipation in returning to Earth? Christ began His mission by coming to Earth, offering His life as a sacrifice as the world's savior.

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.”

— 1 John 4:14, NKJV

On the night before His arrest, Jesus expressed His longing for the time when He would once again be reunited with His disciples in God's Kingdom.

“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’”

— Luke 22:17-18, NKJV

Christ, now at His Father’s side in heaven, is focused on the critical tasks of His mission. As the head of the Church, He is preparing His Bride—His Church—to be presented to Him as a glorious, spotless, and blameless bride. (Eph 5:27, NKJV) He serves as our merciful High Priest, understanding and empathizing with our weaknesses. While faithful in these roles, we can be certain that Christ eagerly anticipates His return to Earth—to be with His Church and to continue His Father’s divine plan to reconcile humanity to the Father.

This past Tuesday, millions of people worldwide watched as a capsule carrying two astronauts, who had spent so long waiting to return home, descended back to Earth. One day, the entire world will witness the return of Christ to Earth.

“I was watching in the night visions,

And behold, One like the Son of Man,

Coming with the clouds of heaven!

He came to the Ancient of Days,

And they brought Him near before Him.

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed.”

— Daniel 7:13-14, NKJV.

May this day come soon!

Let’s all thank God for His wonderful Sabbath and the blessings of this weekly rest.