“The Ascension”

“And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

Act 1:9

This Thursday, May 25, 2017, is Ascension Day.  In many churches, the Sunday after Ascension Day is celebrated as Ascension Sunday.  The question is why celebrate Christ’s ascension at all?  First, let’s take a quick look at the days before His ascension.

After Jesus’ resurrection He spend 40 days on earth before returning to heaven.  During those 40 days He appeared to His disciples on several occasions and to as many as 500 followers at one time (1st Corinthians 15:6).  He had already opened their minds to understand the Old Testament message about Himself (Luke 24: 44– 48), but there were other lessons they needed to learn before they could set out in their new ministry commissioned by Him.  One was, the reality of His resurrection.  By His appearances, inviting them to touch Him, see Him, eat with Him, hear Him teach them, those that were with Him were assured, the Jesus who died had been resurrected (Acts 1:2-3).  He also discussed with them the coming Kingdom (Acts 1:6).  They wanted to know when His kingdom would be restored.  His response was, not that the kingdom wouldn’t be restored, but it was in God’s time.  Until then, be patient.  Then he reiterated the promise from the Upper Room discourses (John 14 - 15) of the coming of His Spirit, the Holy Spirit to dwell in them.  With this power they would be witnesses to Him to the world (Acts 1:7-8).

Then in verse 9 (as quoted above) Christ ascended into heaven.  Jesus ascension into heaven was an important part of His ministry, for if He had not returned to the Father, He could not have sent the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (John 16: 5– 15).  Also, in heaven today, the Savior is our interceding High Priest, giving us the grace that we need for life and service (Hebrews 4: 14– 16). He is also our Advocate before our Heavenly Father, forgiving us when we confess our sins (1 John 1: 9— 2: 2). The exalted and glorified Head of the church is now working with His people on earth and helping them accomplish His purposes (Mark 16: 19– 20).  So as you can see it is a good thing that He ascended.

There is one more thing I want to mention here though.  As the followers were standing and watching His ascension, two angels and appeared and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?  This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

As Jesus appeared and disappeared during those forty days the believers never knew when He might show up. It was excellent preparation for the church because the days were soon coming when He would no longer be on earth to instruct them personally.  Their ministry to a lost world was about to begin.  The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was about to gain the power needed in just 10 days from then.  He’s ascended and will come again!  When?  No one knows!

We believers today never know when our Lord may return, so our situation is somewhat similar to theirs.  As believers, we have received the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  We have received the command to also GO and share the Gospel.  We have been called to be faithful, righteous, disciples of Jesus Christ.  We cannot be complacent.  We cannot say, “Oh, I’ll let someone else do that.”  We are ALL called to be His witnesses until we go to meet Him or He returns for us.

He has ascended!!!  But folks, don’t be like His disciples, standing and gazing into heaven, wondering when (by some people’s testimony, if) He will return.  Claim and live into the power He has given you as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Thursday, May 25, 2017 is Ascension Day and I am thankful, for Christ is doing exactly in heaven what He promised to do for me.  No doubts at all!!!  The question is, am I?  Think about it!

Blessings my friends,

Pastor Marty Duffell, Pastor HOPE EPC Raleigh

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