We
titled this message the unfinished Benediction of Jesus because as Luke records
it; while Jesus was blessing the disciples he was lifted up into heaven. Perhaps the blessings was still on His
lips as He took His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high? Maybe it is
continuing even now, and will only know its final “Amen” when He physically
returns for His own?
The Ascension of Christ places us in a
field of absolute victory. Our Lord had defeated death and the tomb. After his
resurrection he wandered for another 40 days on earth and manifested himself
frequently. He still intended to clarify many things his disciples had not
understood before his death. On that day they walked with him physically for
the last time.
• His departure was unparalleled
(unequaled, supreme).
• Others leave this world on the day
they die; • He stayed around for 40
days.
• Others leave this world because they
are dead; • He left very much alive.
• Others leave their bodies behind; • He took his own body with him.
With these great miracles of Jesus, the
disciples still needed to understand certain truths about Jesus. So they needed
an open mind (vs 45)
I. It
Is Not Enough to Simply Hear the Word of God
Paul reminds
us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” ( Rom. 10:17
NKJV). But not everyone who hears the sound of a gospel word listens to the
voice of the Spirit. In many ways our culture has become gospel-hardened. We
have been inoculated (immunized, injected) with a sufficient dose of the good
news to make us immune to authentic Christianity. John 3:16 printed on placards
and bumper stickers is the modern equivalent of carelessly casting away the
pearl of gospel truth.
II. The
Resurrection Was Not Enough to Open the Disciples Minds
The disciples
had been with Jesus from the beginning of his public ministry. They had
witnessed the many miracles. Now the resurrected Lord had appeared to them, but
that alone could not generate faith. We cannot be cajoled into listening to the
Spirit.
III.
Only the Lord Can Enable Us to Listen with an Open Mind
Luke tells us
that the resurrected Lord opened the minds of the disciples as he reminded them
of the Hebrew Scriptures that testified about him. How did he do this? We want
a method, an approach, a program, or a formula to follow. We are not told.
Surely the disciples had heard Jesus expound the Hebrew Scriptures before. Perhaps
the difference was in themselves—for once, they appear ready to listen.
What Jesus shared with them was not new; they had heard about the Messiah
before. It is in the mystery of their encounter with the risen Christ that
their minds were opened. When you encounter the risen Christ, your life too is
risen, your thoughts are revived.
IV. We
Have Been Entrusted with a Treasure to Be Both Lived and Shared
There is more
to being a witness to Christ than simply mouthing truths. Jesus did not rewind
a mental tape player with a canned sales pitch every time he encountered
someone seeking the kingdom. He modeled and shared a witness to truth that was
personal and appropriate for a variety of situations. No two people are treated
in exactly the same way. We must incarnate the truth and share an appropriate
word of witness as we are empowered by the Spirit.
The
ascension day is a great day because it is a day of
1. Blessing (vs50). Jesus lifted his hands, blessed the
disciples and gave them the ultimate mission as seen in mark 16:15-17. He goes
further to say those who believe shall have signs which follow them. He says
“In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they
shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt
them and that they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
The
disciples had seen Jesus many times lifting his hand to bless. On this
occasion, he blessed them with special authority. It was a full blessing. It
was as if he was saying:
a. All that is mine is yours (Luke 15:31)
b. I give you my life, my blood, my spirit,
my power, and also my glory (Eph 2:1-10)
c. This was like the closing of his life on
earth as jesus came to bless and save. After doing this benediction it was time
to depart.
2. Diligent hands. The wounded hands that paid the price
of our sins is the same diligent hands lifted for us. The same hands that
lifted us from the mud of sin are continually guiding us
a. They guide his church. He walks among
the golden lampstands (Rev 2:1)
b. They prepare us for the heavenly home
(John 14:2)
c. We will see these hands on the rapture
day. Then we will see him as he is (1 John 3:2)
d. Through those hands Israel will
recognize their Lord (Zech 12:10; Rev 1:7)
And
in the very act of blessing them, “He was parted from them and carried up into
heaven” (Luke 24:51). He went as the forerunner, ‘to prepare a place’ for us
(cf. John 14:2). He went as High Priest, ‘ever living to make
intercession’ for us (cf. Hebrews 7:25).
This
was no sad parting. The disciples “worshipped Him” there. Then, as instructed,
they returned to Jerusalem: “with great joy” (Luke 24:52). Thereafter they were
“continually in the Temple worshipping God” (Luke 24:53).
Luke’s
Gospel had begun in the Temple, with Zacharias’ vision, and now ends right
there. The place where heaven and earth meet. The place where God met
with man. An appropriate base to endow the church for their world-wide mission.
SPIRITUALLY
Luke’s
account of the Ascension places us in the shoes of the disciples. There they
are with eyes uplifted, as Luke records the scene so vividly, "gazing into
heaven as he went" and all too soon the ascending Saviour disappeared from
their sight. Then Mark takes up the story. He writes from the viewpoint of our
Lord’s destination. Through the inspiration given to him we are allowed to
share the secrets of heaven itself. Only the Holy Spirit could have revealed
the scene to Mark: "Jesus was received into heaven, and sat down at the
right hand of God" (16:19). What a homecoming! The crown of thorns was
changed into a crown of glory!
The
Scripture clearly says that Jesus would return in glorious splendor.
Stephen
at his trial in Acts chapter 7 says He saw Jesus standing at the Father’s right
hand, something which absolutely enraged the Jews. This was seen as a claim of
Jesus’ divinity. In this they were right. The implication is that the Jews
had not just crucified a mere man, they had crucified God. This seemed
utter blasphemy. They stopped their ears, rushed Stephen and stoned him to
death.
The
standing of Jesus means He rose up from His throne at the right hand of God to
receive Stephen home. The
Book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Majesty
on High. This means that the work of redemption was finished. There was no
further need of animal or any other sacrifices for sin. There were no seats
in the Temple in Jerusalem. The work of the priests there were never done. Nor
could they ever be done. But now they would no longer be necessary. It was an
old garment, torn and waiting for the trash to be burned. The ascension of
Jesus tells us this important fact. That the new high priest has finished all
the work of redemption. Would you receive this high priest into your life?
As we
continue to worship and serve Him in this world, may the Lord bless us with
continuing understanding of what He has accomplished for us.
May
we fulfil our mission in the power of the Spirit and see fruit for our labours
in this present ‘waiting’ time.
And
to His name be all the praise and honour and glory.
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