MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
Last week's article ended with the resurrected Jesus appearing, over a 40-day period of time, to more than 500 people. With that, the disciples' grief turned to joy, and their understanding was opened concerning the Messiah, who had come down to earth to lift up humanity. The earthly fall of man, beginning with Adam and Eve's failure (Genesis 3:1-19), has plagued the world ever since Eden. But words in the Apostles' Creed give hope: "He ascended into heaven".
God did speak to many throughout the ages, and some had answered His call, and then Jesus' birth and ministry ushered in the Kingdom. The death and resurrection verified and authenticated everything Jesus had claimed. His final words from the cross were that His mission on earth was "finished". His appearances afterward clarified that He is the Son of God, the author of salvation and eternal life - the only way to the Father. With that complete, He would be returning to the Father, to intercede on our behalf.
"So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19). Luke wrote in 24:51, "And it came about that while He was blessing them, He parted from them." Perhaps the sparse treatment of the ascension in the Gospels reflects the fact that they were written to share the good news: the Father provided through the sacrifice of His Son, the means of salvation, bridging the gap between mankind and a holy, divine God.
There's also mention of the ascension in Acts, another writing by Luke. Jesus "was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. ... 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” (Acts 1:1-2, 9).
The placement in Acts is appropriate, because Jesus' ascension prepares for the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and the beginning of the Church. At other places in the Book of Acts, speakers and writers mention "the exaltation of Jesus" which probably refers to the ascent of Jesus. Ascension is a preferred word because it gives more meaning to the event.
It should be noted that Jesus had likely already returned to the father, after He told Mary Magdalene not to touch Him, as He had to return to the Father to be exalted (John 20:17). It would make sense that He hurriedly departed from Mary in order to appear before the Father, before revealing Himself to other followers.
Undoubtedly, it was the glorified Jesus who told the disciples, "'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth'" (Matthew 28:18). And "He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (John 20:22). A remark in John 7:39 indicates this could not have happened until Jesus was glorified. "He spoke of the Spirit, ... [but] the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
Jesus' final physical appearance was in Bethany, a village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Throughout His ministry, that site had been a favorite place to meet with friends. He had indicated to His disciples that the extent of their mission, and their divine enablement, would come through the Holy Spirit. Just before parting for the final time, Jesus held out His nail-scarred hands and blessed them (Luke 24:51). This fulfilled the promise that His presence and support would always uphold them.
With the ascension, Jesus was lifted up to a higher plane, where He would continue to minister to them, and to us, spiritually and without any earthly limits.
He left quietly into a cloud, a symbol often used in the Old Testament to indicate the mystery of divine presence. And then, the disciples were given a prediction of His return. "Two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also 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 1:10-11).
Different from His death on the cross, Jesus' ascension left followers with joy instead of sadness. They were filled with new purpose, and John wrote, "These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete" (1 John 1:4). Still to come is the fulfillment of another of Jesus' promises. "'If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also'" (John 14:3).
What a privilege these followers had to observe such majesty - the departure of a King to His throne! It's certain those present watched as long as they could, and the words of the angels continued to encourage. We who've lived since then can experience Him here through a spiritual presence. And the angels' promise is for us also, that He will return to earth as King of Glory.
Thank you Gary, its always good to hear from you about Jesus. You are blessed to provide the word of God and the resurrection of Jesus. Love you Rodney Scobee