Roland

This is just a hypothetical question, I guess, but, if the account in Acts is true, why didn't the four gospel writers (who, apologists seem to believe, were all acting independently) end their works with Jesus' ascencion back to heaven rather than just leaving him floating around on earth? That would seem the more logical ending and one would assume that at least some of the gospel writers would have been compelled to bring the story to its ultimate conclusion.

Tigers!

The quick answer is that they ended them where they ended them. Unfortunately we can't ask why they choose where they did.

Bodhimalik

You know, now that you mention it, at one time, way back in my mind, I wondered what happened to Jesus after they all saw Him.

Always seemed a bit odd to me too that people knew He was born, and a little of him when He was twelve, but what about all those years in between? It's like He spent whole decades in suspended animation.