Luke 24:50-53 And He [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
Last Sunday, Pastor Herk of the Little Church in the Pines preached on the meaning and significance of the ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Usually we focus on the crucifixion and the resurrection, but the ascension is pivotal. Christianity Today states that the Significance of Jesus' Ascension is: (1) The ascended and enthroned Christ pours out his Spirit on the church. (2) The ascended and enthroned Christ applies the blessings of salvation. (3) The ascended and enthroned Christ cares for his suffering people as they bear witness to him. The ascension of Jesus was also the climatic, crowning event of his exaltation, and the necessary precursor to his continuing work through the Spirit and the church.
The ascension, or His return to the Father in heaven, clearly marked the end of Christ's earthly ministry. It marked the success of His earthly mission, establishes Jesus as the reigning king over all powers in all ages and gives us access to God’s throne for mercy and grace. The ascension marked the time when Jesus once again enjoyed His heavenly glory and marks the beginning of the time when Jesus is preparing a place for His followers. And, it indicated the beginning of His new work as High Priest and Mediator of the New Covenant, providing an Advocate on earth whose presence is limitless. If we overlook this evet, we are going to miss out on some valuable lessons that we need to be aware of.
Acts 1:1-3 “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Why 40 days? Mentioned 146 times in Scripture, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights in Noah’s flood. During Moses' life he lived forty years in Egypt and forty years in the desert before God selected him to lead his people out of slavery. Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights, on two separate occasions, receiving God's laws. He also sent spies, for forty days, to investigate the land God promised the Israelites as an inheritance. The children of Israel were punished by wandering the wilderness for 40 years before a new generation was allowed to possess the promised land. Jesus was tempted by the devil not just three times, but many times during the 40 days and nights he fasted just before his ministry began. Now, He also appeared to his disciples and others for 40 days after his resurrection from the dead. These forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension were important as a time of divine presence giving “many infallible proofs, being seen and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Acts 1:7-8 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The focus of the Apostles was not where it needed to be. The “End times” prophesy and looking for Jesus’ return is not what the Lord is wanting His people to be focusing on. It is not for you to know. If that begins to consume our time then we are not seeing what needs to be done in His kingdom and we are missing out on the ministry needs to others around us and sharing the Gospel. And maybe missing out on the rest of the Holy Bible, which is meant for our instruction, growth and maturity. We have “here and now” sanctification growth in Christ that we need to be concerned with. If we are so obsessed in looking up and trying to figure out when we will see Jesus’ Second Coming then we will not be looking out into the harvest field of opportunity around us to see the ministries that need done … and there are many.
Ten days later, the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles in Jerusalem. Jesus encouraged His disciples that His departure and ascension to Heaven was a good thing and advantageous for them. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus would continue to be with His disciples. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” And in Matthew 28:20, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Jesus was going to be in His disciples. He confirms this in John 14:19-24 saying, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.”
Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on the significance of Jesus' Ascension in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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