Ascended to Heaven - Jarvis

Jesus’ ascension to heaven is remarkable, isn’t it? You understand why the disciples kept looking intently into the sky as Jesus was going. One minute they’re gathered around Jesus and he’s teaching them about their mission to be Jesus’ witnesses to the ends of the earth and the next minute he’s taken up, up, up until a cloud hid him from their sight.

Where did Jesus go?

The cloud isn’t there to hide Jesus as he rockets into space. The cloud symbolizes God’s presence. OT examples:

Travel from Egypt to Promised Land for 40 years

Exodus 13:21 NIV

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Mt. Sinai – God spoke to Moses from a cloud:

Exodus 24:15–16 NIV

When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.

When Jesus went up a mountain to pray with Peter, John and James,

Luke 9:34–35 NIV

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

The cloud that hid Jesus as he ascended indicates Jesus entered God the Father’s presence: heaven.

That’s an encouraging thought. Jesus is in heaven; in God’s throne room, in glory. His presence in heaven takes some of our fear away. Maybe you felt afraid the first time you came to a worship service. It can be awkward to walk in when you don’t know anyone. Jesus’ ascension to heaven means that when you arrive in glory, you’ll know someone. Jesus will welcome you to God’s presence. He’ll introduce you to his heavenly Father. When you meet God Almighty in all his majesty, you’ll recognize him too because, as it says in John’s gospel:

John 1:18 NIV

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

All the awkwardness that Adam & Eve felt after they disobeyed God and all the awe and shame our first parents felt in God’s presence is removed. While it’s true that we’ve disobeyed and most of us feel guilty and ashamed before God, Jesus makes it safe to come close to God. How?

Dying on the cross, Jesus atones for our sin and guilt.

Rising on third day, Jesus guarantees our resurrection as holy people, God’s dearly loved children.

Jesus’ death and resurrection are how Jesus makes it safe for us to enter the presence of God in all his majesty and holiness.

Here’s how the Apostle Paul explained it to folks in Ephesus:

Ephesians 2:6–7 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

The assurance that Jesus makes it safe to be in God’s presence is great. But for some of us, entering God’s presence seems remote. Heaven seems a far way off because many of us expect to live a few more decades. Although appearing before God gets more real as you get older or if you are diagnosed with a serious illness. Having Jesus pave the way for you to enter God’s heavenly throne room on that distant day when you die sounds great, but Jesus’ ascension into heavenly glory isn’t an obvious solution to all the pressing problems you face today. Maybe you’re wondering, at the risk of sounding self-centered, what is the benefit of Jesus’ ascension for us now?

1. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit

One benefit, is that, when Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent God the HS to be with his followers. Not just the apostles, ALL Jesus’ followers enjoy the presence and closeness of the HS. Jesus mentions it in

Acts 1:4 NIV

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Spoiler alert: we’re going to talk about the coming of God the HS next week. On the church calendar, the Sunday 50 days after Easter is referred to as Pentecost Sunday. Not only will I preach about the coming of the HS next Sunday, we’ll read about it this week as we read Acts 1-2 in the daily Bible readings. What’s the benefit of the HS coming? Jesus speaks of the coming of the HS in the gospel of John:

John 14:25–26 NIV

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

It’s one of the themes we’ll trace through the book of Acts as we read it together. God the HS leads and guides Jesus’ disciples. When we pray, we ask the HS to lead us, teach us, and keep us following Jesus.

As lonely as you might feel sometimes, God the HS is always near.

I’ve seen recent statistics. Some people are turning to Artificial Intelligence for companionship.

72% American teenagers are already turning to AI for companionship. That's not just extreme cases or the troubled kids; that's three in four teenagers going to a machine for connection. (Art of Leadership website)

We can’t blame AI for human loneliness. In western culture, loneliness is terribly high for people of all ages. But AI is not the best solution to fix loneliness in teens or anybody else. The HS, sent by Jesus, is always near Jesus’ disciples. In John’s gospel , Jesus explains that sending the HS is one of the reasons he ascends to heaven:

John 16:7 NIV

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Now, instead of being in only one place at a time, like every other human, Jesus can be with all believers all the time by the power of God the HS! God is always near. God is much more empathetic than a chatbot could ever be. Unlike machine learning or AI, God cares about you deeply. God knows what’s best for you. God can intervene, bringing change in your life. How can you experience the HS’s closeness?

Instead of a typed conversation with AI, journalling your thoughts to God is a healthier option. I promise God will read what you write, he’ll care deeply about your thoughts and feelings. He will assure you of his love and closeness. You might not be able to read a quick response, but

God always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS answers prayer.

As humans and citizens of the kingdom of God, we are made for healthy human relationships. Ask God to help you build human relationships. It requires being vulnerable, but the HS breaks down barriers between people. Ex.:

Over the past few summers a young couple in our congregation hosted campfires every Sunday night.

Ask the HS if it’s your job host campfires this summer OR games night OR pick-up sports to build relationships with others - Wouldn’t it be interesting to see who comes out for baseball or a soccer game?

What’s another benefit of Jesus’ ascension into heaven?

2. Jesus is our advocate in heaven.

Years ago, Robin had a client who got excited to learn that I was a minister. When this client had a prayer request, she’d text Robin to ask me to pray. I’d get all kinds of prayer requests at random times. We heard from this lady every month or two for 10-15 years. No matter how often I told her that she could pray to God directly, she was more excited to have a minister talk to God on her behalf.

For the record, I will pray for or with anyone about anything anytime.

Of course, it’s encouraging to hear that someone is praying for you. Someone takes time in their busyness to talk to God on your behalf.

As a pastor, I count on that kind of prayer from the elders and other leaders of the church.

There are few things more encouraging you can say or do for the elders and deacons at Ebenezer than pray for them daily.

Pray for those you love ...

But you’re not the only one talking to our heavenly Father every day for church leaders and the people you love. Even better than having a minister or elder pray for you, you have Jesus, physically present in the throne room of heaven, is advocating on your behalf.

Now that Jesus has ascended to heaven, he is also interceding for us – you and your loved ones – talking to God daily about your needs, concerns, and deepest hopes.

Romans 8:34 NIV

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Jesus is regularly bringing your needs, hopes, and desires to God in prayer.

3. Jesus is coming back ...

Acts 1:11 NIV

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”