The Ascension

Introduction

Graduation vs. commencement

Final thing, consummation

In Christian theology, the ascension is the consummation of Christ’s entire ministry and mission on earth.

Peace Through Jesus’ Fulfillment

Jesus sets up our passage today with a strong emphasis on His presence in verses 36-43. He recognizes the disciples’ doubts, He shows them his scars, and He eats with them - something a ghost would not do! And this is how we enter verse 44 - with a strong emphasis on His presence. Yet, we know in just a few verses Jesus is going to ascend to heaven. His message to His disciples is this - you can experience peace in your hearts and minds because I have fulfilled the all that is written about Me.

Luke 24:44 HCSB

Then He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Much of His ministry was centered on fulfillment and Jesus frequently identifies Himself as the one fulfilling the OT Scriptures. In Luke 4:21 Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-2

Isaiah 61:1–2 HCSB

The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah 51 calls for the people to look to the rock from which they were hewn (cut), and Psalm 118:22 is quoted by Jesus in Matthew 21:42.

Matthew 21:42 HCSB

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes?

The only thing yet to be fulfilled is His ascension, which many scholars believe is prophesied in Psalm 68:18.

Read Psalm 68. What a song - what a story.

The ascension represents the consummation of the divine plan, the realization of a prophecy, and the empowerment of believers to live out their faith and mission.

Luke 24:45 HCSB

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Something to be understood about the Scriptures - Jesus didn’t come randomly. His life, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension are all foretold and very intentional.

What Scriptures did He use? Wouldn’t it be nice to know? Well, we don’t.

Jesus is the person the Bible is about, but He is also the means by which we understand what it means to live out those words.

Opened minds are powerful. There is nothing better to open the mind and to be understood than the Scriptures. But,

Open minds and understanding aren’t enough.

For the Scriptures to effect us,

They must be filtered down into our hearts in order for the peace of Christ to reign completely in our lives.

Are you trusting God’s Word completely? Do the words of Jesus penetrate your heart? Do they call you deeper into His presence where you see the scars and share your doubts, like the disciples?

Peace Through Proclamation

Luke 24:46–47 HCSB

He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

It’s the same message found in Luke 3:3.

have you ever been accused of putting the cart before the horse?

You might imagine, I have.

Jesus orders the work of the disciples very strategically and specifically -

Theology

Before

System

These guys may have been cart before horse people.

It is written. There is nothing more authoritative that this - and it’s given by the King Himself! Jesus’ plan for proclamation is grounded in the knowledge of the Scriptures at a shareable level.

Proof texts aren’t the answer. Well constructed arguments aren’t the answer. Know what it says and then say it.

The greatest answer to the question of what does the Bible say is this:

That every Biblical strand converges in the person and mission of Jesus, and that He divinely authors and carries out the promise of salvation.

Yeah but how?

Peace Through a Powerful Blessing

Luke 24:49 HCSB

And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

Jesus gives his disciples instructions to stay in the city of Jerusalem to receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. Here the Spirit is understood less as a helper, comforter, or advocate and more as warrior or special weapon. This baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) will clothe the apostles with “power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Jesus’ ascension in verse 51 is not an abandonment, instead, it is a strategic advancement.

The disciples are not left helpless, they were given a mission and the power to fulfill it.

We need this same power today if we are to continue the mission of the apostles in the world and fulfill the Great Commission. We need the power and strength of the Spirit working in us and through us in order to carry on the mission of Christ in the world and fruitfully proclaim the gospel to the lost. We cannot do this in our own strength. We need the power of God manifesting in us and through us! This is what it means to be empowered.

Luke 24:50–51 HCSB

Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.

Luke’s narrative is woven so tightly. Some of you may know that Luke records in chapter 19 that it was in Bethany where Jesus instructed the disciples to find the colt that had never been ridden, and now they’ve returned to the same place. He came to Jerusalem as King in Luke 19 and in Luke 24 He’s returning to His Kingdom throne in heaven. In priestly fashion, Jesus the Great High Priest raises His hands to offer a blessing.

Don’t miss this -

Jesus’ ascension took place while blessing the disciples, which means His posture towards His people is still one of grace and favor.

The response of the apostles to the final blessing and ascension of Christ show us that proper response to ANY blessing from Jesus is heartfelt, joyful worship, and that Jesus is interceding for us!

Luke 24:53 HCSB

And they were continually in the temple complex praising God.

They went to the place where the people knew that God met man, for in those days if God and man were ever to come together, it was in the temple.

Oh but friends there is a new temple! It is not the old building, doomed to destruction. God has now availed Himself through His body, the church, and among them can God be met and experienced.

The ascension calls us to live in expectant worship. not staring at the sky waiting for the stars to align, instead serving with confidence that Christ reigns from His throne in heaven.

We can live with assurance of God’s unfailing plan of redemption based on the authority of Scripture, and we can worship with adoration towards the King.

Are you depending on the Holy Spirit for understanding, empowerment, and blessing?