Calvin Synod Herald, 2017 (118. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2017-05-01 / 5-6. szám

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CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

Luke then wrote, “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee, ’they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9-11)

When we look at Jesus’ interaction with His disciples as He gives His farewell, we see a lot of similarities to the kind of farewells that we have with our loved ones.

Our farewells often include three things.

One: We often review the time we spent with the person on that visit. We might say something like, “Well, thanks for inviting us to the wedding. It was great to be a part of this important event.”

Two: The second thing that is often a part of our typical goodbye is the promise to stay in touch.

We say things like, “We really need to get together more often, or I’ll give you a call when we arrive home, or in a week or two.”

Three: The final things we often do as we say goodbye is to remind each other of our next visit.

We’ll see you next year, or next month, or whenever the next visit is planned.”

As I said, it is interesting that that seems to be the very thing Jesus did with His disciples.

He reviewed the things that were accomplished on His visit, and what they needed to accomplish in His absence. Jesus promised to stay in touch with them. And Jesus told them of His plans to see them again.

As I was preparing for this meditation, I looked back in my own preaching records, and discovered that I have preached many sermons on the Ascension.

We all know that the birth of Jesus is a truly important event.

Certainly His crucifixion and resurrection are the most critical for our salvation.

But the ascension is also an important event.

Why the Ascension was an Absolute Necessity

There are several reasons that the ascension was an absolute necessity.

The first reason is: there had to be a final moment when Jesus returned to heaven.Imagine if the resurrection appearances of Jesus had just simply petered out. There would be something wrong and indefinite about that. There had to be a day dividing when the Jesus of earth would become the Christ of heaven. The ascension marked the transition from His earthly ministry to His heavenly one. Behind Him was the persecution of men; before Him was the applause of angels. Behind Him was the cruel cross; before Him was the glorious crown. So the ascension was an absolute necessity because there had to be a final

moment when Jesus left the earth.

The second reason the ascension was an absolute necessity, is the fact that Jesus’ going allowed for the Spirit’s coming.

Jesus told them in John 16, “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ’Where are you going?' Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But 1 tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, 1 will send him to you. ” (Jn. 16:5-7)

Jesus continued in verse 12, “Ihave much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. ” (Jn. 16:12-14)

So the going of Jesus allowed for the coming of the Sprit, and the coming of the Spirit ushered in the beginning of the church. It is hard to imagine life in the church without the Spirit. It is an impossibility. It is hard to imagine our lives today in the church without the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings me such hope, peace and power, while at the same time convicting me of my sin when I get off course.

The third reason the ascension was an absolute necessity, is the fact that it allowed Him to begin His permanent, heavenly ministry.

It has been well said that: “At the ascension Jesus left the here for the everywhere. He left the now for the eternal. He left the First Century to fill all the centuries. ”

Just as the grave could not hold Him when His Father raised Him from the dead, so the earth could not hold Him when the time came for Him to return to His Father.

And as the Gospel of Mark says, “he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.” (Mk. 16:19)

Similarly, the Apostle Peter wrote, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit... this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also... It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. ” (1 Ft. 3:18,21,22)

In heaven, at God’s right hand, Jesus is our interceding High Priest, giving us the grace we need for life and service (Heb. 4:14-16). He is also our Advocate before the Father, forgiving us when we confess our sins (1 Jn. l:9-2:2)

The exalted and glorified Head of the church is now working with His people on earth and helping them accomplish His purposes. (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:20)

We have proof that Jesus ascended and is now