XV
Looking Up
‘this same Jesus….will come back in the same way…’ Acts 1:11
Looking Up
‘this same Jesus….will come back in the same way…’ Acts 1:11
Think about the disciples who saw Jesus taken and ascending into heaven. True, he had spoken about ascending to his father, but the moment had come! Forty days ago he had come back to them – were they to lose him now? Then, suddenly, he was gone! Confused and perhaps afraid, they looked up trying to see him. There is a medieval painting of this scene and the only visible part of Jesus in the cloud is the soles of his feet!
Then two angels appeared and spoke about Jesus’ return; wasn’t that just what they wanted to hear? But the promise had no time scale! And Jesus had told his followers that they must first receive the promised Holy Spirit and then make disciples in an ever expanding mission? So, he might not return very soon after all. What does this episode say to us? All too often we overlook the Ascension of Jesus and pay small regard to the promise of his return. Why? I wonder if the significance is not properly understood? In these verses, the ascension of Jesus, the promise of his return and the commission to the disciples are inextricably linked.
The ascension or glorification of Jesus marks the completion of his ministry on earth; he has glorified his Father’s name (John 12:23,28) and returns to heaven as the glorified Lord. He will not appear again until the day of which the angels spoke and in the manner of his going, i.e., in glory (Acts 1:9, 3:21, Rev 1:7). Read and ponder these verses which display God’s purposes in redemption on the broadest canvas. There is a third strand to this story – the part played by the disciples. In vv 2-8, Jesus’ last words were about the coming kingdom, their filling by the Spirit and the witness they would spread. In Matt 28, they were commissioned to ‘go and make disciples’. This was impossible without his presence promised to them ‘until the end of the age’ – and at that time Jesus will return. The promise is secure, but when, oh when will it take place?
The last prayer of the Bible is ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. Read these words and assess your feelings – Is there a sense of eager longing? A feeling of concern? A lack of readiness? A fear of the unknown? In Matt 24:42, Jesus says ‘Keep watch’ – the greatest challenge of all.
Then two angels appeared and spoke about Jesus’ return; wasn’t that just what they wanted to hear? But the promise had no time scale! And Jesus had told his followers that they must first receive the promised Holy Spirit and then make disciples in an ever expanding mission? So, he might not return very soon after all. What does this episode say to us? All too often we overlook the Ascension of Jesus and pay small regard to the promise of his return. Why? I wonder if the significance is not properly understood? In these verses, the ascension of Jesus, the promise of his return and the commission to the disciples are inextricably linked.
The ascension or glorification of Jesus marks the completion of his ministry on earth; he has glorified his Father’s name (John 12:23,28) and returns to heaven as the glorified Lord. He will not appear again until the day of which the angels spoke and in the manner of his going, i.e., in glory (Acts 1:9, 3:21, Rev 1:7). Read and ponder these verses which display God’s purposes in redemption on the broadest canvas. There is a third strand to this story – the part played by the disciples. In vv 2-8, Jesus’ last words were about the coming kingdom, their filling by the Spirit and the witness they would spread. In Matt 28, they were commissioned to ‘go and make disciples’. This was impossible without his presence promised to them ‘until the end of the age’ – and at that time Jesus will return. The promise is secure, but when, oh when will it take place?
The last prayer of the Bible is ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. Read these words and assess your feelings – Is there a sense of eager longing? A feeling of concern? A lack of readiness? A fear of the unknown? In Matt 24:42, Jesus says ‘Keep watch’ – the greatest challenge of all.
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