THE ASCENSION

Reading from Acts Ch. 1 vs 6-11

Isn’t it interesting how we can be preoccupied by or just focus on the wrong thing, not that it’s a wrong thing in itself but we kinda just miss things. I suppose maybe the thing we should really be paying attention to isn’t as important to us as what we think is or maybe we just innocently missed it. It is good to have the kind of people around us who can be patient and kind enough to help us get back to the point or even just focus our energy in the right place rather than learning later that we should have done a instead of b. The Disciples had just gone through a confusing time, Jesus who they thought would save Israel from the romans and rule and do all the other great things was crucified. Of course that wasn’t his mission, at least in the physical world sense but I can imagine losing not just your lord but a good friend who you knew was innocent. After three days Jesus did rise from the dead and was with them before he ascended.

Before the ascension they were with Jesus and he led them as far as Bethany, when they got there and were standing together the disciples asked Jesus a question. They said, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” I look at this question and maybe it’s because we read from a future stand point but it’s as if after all that occurred with the crucifixion and all the teachings were missed. Jesus I believe explained the kind of kingdom he was speaking about, it wasn’t an earthly one but I think they were so stuck in the interpretation of the messiah coming to save them that they assumed it would be from the who was currently in control over them. It makes sense but we have to get to a point where we let go of the assumption when we have the truth, the assumption is nice and comfortable to be in but it makes you miss the reality of what you’re supposed to be paying attention to.

Jesus responded with a powerful statement that, “It is not for you to know times and seasons that the father has fixed by his own authority”. I quite like this statement, like there’s a time and season when things will happen but it’s not for us to know when but to just leave it to God who is sovereign to do what he does when it’s supposed to happen. We like to know the when’s and why’s and it can be frustrating to not have those answers and to just keep going and not really know where. It’s a good thing though because in a sense it forces us to have a trust and reliance on God that he has all the authority and power and will make things happen when its right even if to us it seems like right now is a good time. But it’s difficult to sit with even when we do trust God, the question still remains as to what we do as we wait for those times and seasons and Jesus followed up with some clear direction or instruction as to what they should do.

Jesus continued to say that, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”. There was something to be done while they waited, they were to share and spread the good news that they had witnessed in walking with and being taught by Jesus. They were to share the message of salvation through Jesus not just to the Jews but everyone and it wasn’t going to be easy and that’s why he promised them/us the Holy Spirit. Because alone we can’t manage and so we need that empowerment to be able to carry out the will of God. So remind yourself when its overwhelming, or you can’t quite figure out how or even when you’re tired that it’s not by your own strengths and efforts but by the power of the Holy Spirit that we receive when we accept Jesus.

After this Jesus was lifted up and ascended in a cloud and they gazed into heaven, I think of it being something somewhat heavy, like now you actually know the real truth but your friend is gone but you have a mission but it would be nice to have him around. The Spirit is our friend, a great gift to us, one who knows us and understands everything we go through and is within us, better even than a friend if we choose to actually commune and get to know him. As they gazed and were distracted two men stood by them in white robes and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven”.

That indeed Jesus has gone and is at the right hand of the father but worry not, he will come again in the same way he left, in the clouds for all people to see and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is lord. Our focus or the thing we often miss is the real mission, I understand that life is happening, we have to live and function and survive and all other issues but don’t forget that Jesus is coming soon and it shouldn’t worry us about when but that we should be watchful and guarding our hearts and minds. That we should be doing what he said to do which is to be witnesses to the good news of salvation and just sharing his love and truth with whoever we can. We should live but we shouldn’t miss that because the consequence is not worth it and it’s something none of us want. So go out and share Jesus and his love and never forget that he loves you always!