Wednesday Bible Study: The Ascension

 

Today we take a break from the homestretch of the "Ends of all things" series and reflect on the Ascension of Christ.  During Holy Week just past, David Jeremiah reflected there as well, challenging people to remember if they had ever heard a sermon preached on the Ascension.  Growing up Catholic, I had to raise my hand and admit I'd heard a few.  And I'm going to stitch some verses together, so I can share with you 6 lessons from the event.

1- Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. Mat 28:19  Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20  teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you...

Now, Jesus was THE BOSS.  And He had a job for them- and us- to teach and reach the world.  Obedience and service were to be their- and our- new watchwords.

2- Act 1:8  But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth. 

Note the exponential growth of their- and our- reach, beyond the comfort zone and into the vast unknowns.  Here, they needed two more watchwords- faith and trust.

3-Mat 28:19  Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20  teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you... 

 

In essence, they have now become Jesus's sales force, doing appointments and cold calls everywhere, the product being His example and His teachings, the value added being salvation.

 

4-  Mat 28:20   ...And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen. 

Jesus had already taught them about the end of the age- wars and rumors of war, pestilence, family against family- and the great falling away.  This is a promise for us right now- no matter how messed up things get before He brings us home, He's with us!

5- Luk 24:50  And He led them out as far as Bethany. And lifting up His hands, He blessed them.
Luk 24:51  And it happened as He blessed them, He withdrew from them and was carried up into Heaven.

It was no longer Jesus's job to do.  Like any good manager, He withdrew to let His fully-trained staff do the job.

6- Act 1:10  And while they were looking intently into the heaven, He having gone, even behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them,
Act 1:11  who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into the heaven? This same Jesus who is taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the way you have seen Him going into Heaven. 

So don't just stand there, get to work!  He'll be watching how you do!