Ascension

Recap

The Great Commission Matt 28:16-20,

The authority of Jesus - and all power Mission to all nations - Go therefore and make disciples Trinitarian - God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Teaching and Obedience - Salvation vs Discipleship Presence of Jesus - I am with you always

Background

Luke authored by the same name in AD 70-80. Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Col 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke’s gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Timeline

Acts 1:3 “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”

The number 40 is highly significant in the Bible and is often associated with periods of testing, trial, probation, or preparation. Here are some key examples and meanings

1. Periods of Testing and Trial

- The Flood: It rained for 40 days and 40 nights when God flooded the earth in the time of Noah (Genesis 7:12).

- Moses on Mount Sinai: Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai without food or water, receiving the Law from God (Exodus 24:18, 34:28).

- Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years as a period of testing and purification before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-34).

- Spies in Canaan: The spies explored the land of Canaan for 40 days (Numbers 13:25).

What does it mean to the Jews

2. The number 40 in the Bible represents a time of testing, trial, and preparation, as well as hope, renewal, and transformation, all according to God’s plan.

Why

3. To demonstrate his resurrection and provide evidence of his victory over death to his disciples, to prepare them for their future ministry, and to give them a longer time to process the profound change in their lives. 

Power (Dynamis)

Luke 24:49 “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Ascension

Luke 24:50–53 “And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.”

Acts 1:9–11 “And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, 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.””

John 16:16–20 ““A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”

They knew why He left so now they could rejoice

Glory - John 17:1–5 “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

Pentecost - John 14:26 “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 that I have said to you.”

Coronation - Hebrews 2:9 “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

Priest King - Hebrews 4:14–16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (John 17:6–11 ““I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” )