Over the last few weeks since Easter, we have been looking at the events that transpired after the resurrection of Jesus. We considered the guards guarding the tomb. They were as close to being eyewitnesses to the actual resurrection as anyone. But they were bought off and they spread a lie the implicated themselves gravely and negatively, all for the love of money.
We looked at Thomas who would not believe the resurrection unless the evidence he demanded was set before him. Jesus appeared and say not to be unbelieving, but believing, and Jesus further said, “Blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed."
The Scripture tells us that while Jesus was stayed on earth for a period of time after the resurrection, in His resurrected and eternal body, He was seen by over 500 people at one time:
1 Corinthians 15:6 (NKJV) After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
According to Acts 1:3, Jesus was walked this earth for forty days prior to ascending back to heaven. At some point, Jesus had to return. His glorified bodied was not for this earth. And so Jesus returned to heaven, but that is far from the end of the story.
One Bible Commentator wrote, "If the last mighty act of God had been the resurrection and ascension, today there would be no church. If the pattern outlined in the first chapter of Acts had continued, the apostles and others would never have left Jerusalem to witness. They would have formed a religious club, perhaps a "Jesus Memorial Society". Like other such groups, it would probably have had meetings, dues, minutes, and the usual club paraphernalia. In spite of valiant endeavors by loyal adherents to "keep the organization going," the band of believers in the Risen Jesus Christ would eventually have dwindled away and in time the memory of Jesus would have become an interesting footnote in the history books of the Middle East" [1]
Today, were are going to explore the significance of Jesus’ ascension, back to heaven. And as we will see, the mighty acts of God has only just begun.
Acts 1:9–11 (NKJV)
God’s mighty acts did not end when Jesus returned to heaven. In fact, you might say they had only just begun. When Jesus ascent to Heaven, at least 7 things where signified by His ascension:
1. Jesus earthly ministry of bring salvation is complete.
2. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father
3. Jesus bodily ascent means we will ascend like Him
4. Jesus is interceding for us.
5. The Helper/Comforter can come.
6. The work of Christ on Earth is place in the hands of the Church.
7. Jesus’ return will be like His departure.
Let’s go back and look at number one: 1.Jesus earthly ministry of bring salvation is complete.
Jesus completed all He came to do. He came as Savior and as Savior, He paid the penalty for our sins.
Mark 10:45 (NKJV) For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus came to save.
John 3:17 (NKJV) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
His saving mission is complete. Next time He comes, it will be as Judge.
2. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. This is the proof of His glorification. This is also proof that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin on the cross. Jesus is at the place of prestige and honor – at the right hand of God. And being at the right hand of God, Jesus exercises dominion over all creation.
Ephesians 1:20–23 (NKJV) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Jesus is all in all. He is the Head and He is the Power. And being at the right hand of God, His name is above all names:
Philippians 2:9–11 (NKJV) 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The key is who will confess Jesus now. Who will call Him and serve Him as Lord now? Later, after He comes again, all creation will call Him Lord, but those who fall to do so now will be judged.
3. Jesus bodily ascent means we will ascend like Him. There is coming a time when Jesus will raise all believers in their bodies. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the first fruits of those who will rise:
1 Corinthians 15:20 (NKJV) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Our bodies will be changed to be like His.
1 Corinthians 15:52 (NKJV) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
When we see Jesus, we will be like Him:
1 John 3:2 (NKJV) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
But until that day comes, Jesus ascended to heaven to be our advocate, to interceding for us.
4. Jesus is interceding for us.
Romans 8:34 (NKJV) Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Why does Jesus have to intercede for us? Satan, in waiting to be cast out of heaven for all eternity is even now, today, before the throne of God, Satan is accusing us before God.
Revelation 12:10 (NKJV) Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
You know what? Satan is probably pretty truthful in His accusations about me, I've done some pretty sinful things. But Jesus is our advocate. He is our defense lawyer, He tells the Father that He has paid the price of all our sins in full.
1 John 2:1–2 (NKJV) My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Jesus ascended to heaven so that we can be empowered to live for Him. When He was physically present here on earth, he could not be with us all. But now that He has ascended, scripture tells us whenever 2 or 3 gather together in His name, He is there with us (Matt 18:20). Jesus ascended so that:
5. The Helper/Comforter can come. The night before Jesus went to the cross, He explained to His disciples:
John 16:7 (NKJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Jesus explains what the Helper will do:
John 14:26 (NKJV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The Holy Spirit is what will empower us to do all that He tasks us to do. Right before Jesus ascended, Jesus gave instructions for His disciples to be His witnesses, here at home and around the world. But we often leave out the first part of that verse:
Acts 1:8a (NKJV) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
6. The work of Christ on Earth is place in the hands of the Church. We, the church are His body here on earth. Remember the great commission?
Matthew 28:19–20 (NKJV) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Fulfilling Christ’s mission on earth is not a passive activity for anyone of us. This is a whole church effort. Making disciples is hard work, but Jesus has given us His Spirit to guide and empower us. Remember the parable Jesus taught about His going away and return? In Luke, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27) – Jesus instruction is clear:
Luke 19:13 (NKJV) So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’
We are to be about His business until He comes and that brings us back to our focal verses:
Acts 1:9 (NKJV) Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Only Luke in the book of Acts records the actual ascent of Jesus. The sight must have amazed His disciples. But Luke doesn’t dwell on the ascension, but quickly brings them back to earth:
Acts 1:10 (NKJV) And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
Two men in white. Most all scholars agree that these were angels. The angels redirected the heaven gazing disciples attention and point out what is important for these disciples to know.
Acts 1:11 (NKJV) who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
This brings us to number 7 of the significance of Jesus’ ascension:
7. Jesus’ return will be like His departure. And how is that?
1. Jesus’ return will be with the clouds
2. Jesus will return in body
3. Jesus’ return will be in full view of everyone
4. Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives. (and this is clearly indicated in Zechariah 14:4)
Jesus' return will be like his ascension, but there will be one big difference in Jesus return from His ascension. Where Jesus ascended to heaven as Savior, He is returning as Judge.
Matthew 24:30 (NKJV) Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Notice how the earth will mourn. Jesus’ return is described much in the same way in Revelation:
Revelation 1:7 (NKJV) Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
The world will fear His return as well they should. But the Christian, it is a time of rejoicing.
Luke 21:27–28 (NKJV) Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Yes Jesus left the earth but He is returning in glory and great power. It is a time for us to rejoice.
That day is drawing nearer each day. The time to know Jesus is now. The time to be about His business is now. The time to have confidence in our salvation is now, because Jesus is actively interceding for us. Do you know the risen Savior. Do you know the One who left earth as Savior, but is coming back as Judge? It is truly, all about Him.
[1] www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/13331/church-general-by-larry-brincefield?ref=TextIllustrationSerps William P. Barker, "The Stood Boldly", pp. 19-20
