Jump Start # 89

Luke 24:50-51 “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into Heaven.”

  This is the ascension of Jesus. In Acts 1, which Luke also wrote, we read, “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.”  These two “men” were angels. They announced that Jesus would return as He left.

  There are two points worth noting here. First, it is interesting that Jesus ascended from Bethany, and not Jerusalem. Bethany was the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus often stayed in Bethany. Bethany had many memories for Jesus. It is from here that He left earth.

  Secondly, Jesus ascended visibly. The disciples saw Him going up in there air. Where did Jesus go?  Peter said in Acts 2 that Jesus is seated on God’s right hand. Mark also affirms this. Jesus is in Heaven, and in Heaven He is reigning. Paul called Jesus, “the King of kings and the Lord of lords.” Jesus sits upon the throne of David. All is ok because Jesus reigns. Jesus could have easily disappeared and an angel announced that He was in Heaven, but the disciples got to be witnesses to this. One last miracle. One last incredible event. Jesus ascending into Heaven, not remaining in His grave. Not hanging around hiding. Glorious ascent. He was carried after He had blessed the disciples. His last act was not destroying or defeating but blessing.

  God has blessed each of us. First, by being able to be alive today. Each day is a gift. But more than that, God has blessed us spiritually by forgiving us, accepting us, including us, wanting us and in time, sending Jesus back for us. What a glorious thought as John 14 presents it, “I will come again, that where I am you may be also.” Jesus came into our world so we can come to His world. He came to our world not for a few minutes but for thirty three years. He came not heavily protected and staying in the nicest places, but instead, He dwelt among us, and experienced our world. He especially saw the brokenness of our world. Jesus wasn’t a tourist that visited sites and saw the best we have. He was surrounded with lepers, diseased and handicapped begging to be cured. He was questioned, challenged and often accused. He wasn’t treated with honor and respect. And finally, He was executed. Jesus saw the worst that this world offers. But in so doing, He sympathizes with us. He knows what it is like to be tempted, because He was tempted. He knows what it is like to be lonely for all forsook Him. He knows what it is like to hurt. He knows what it is like to die. He did all that so we could come to His world. And His world, Heaven, will not be a short visit for us. It will not be as a tourist, which we look around at things but after a while we long to get home. His world becomes our world. His home becomes our home. We will never want to leave. We will know of no place like it. We will be amazed that we will get to be there, and not for a few minutes, but FOREVER.  There is nothing in this world that we can put FOREVER on. Nothing lasts, even our lives. But in Heaven, there is FOREVER. Forever with God. Forever in a world of love and acceptance. Forever away from the broken, the sinful, and the wrong. Forever done with pain, sorrow and heartache. Forever with the righteous of God. Forever with our Jesus.

  He came to our world, so we could come to His! That thought makes me say, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Roger