Psalm 68: Joining the Ascended Christ's Parade
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Dear Congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Are you part of Jesus Christ’s parade? I don’t just mean if you have believed Jesus teaching, even believed in his life and death! What I mean is that the LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnate, crucified, died, but now Risen and Ascended, He is leading the most important parade in the history of the universe and whether you have become a participant in that parade or not is the most important question of our lives! The ascension procession of the Lord Jesus Christ. My parents experienced such a parade on May 5 1945 - liberation day, canadian and American soldiers - giving gifts of chocolate and cookies, everyone pouring into streets, caught up with new regime - old masters Nazi’s - blow up dikes, high tail it out, but to the Victor Belong the ______. Would you be part of that parade on taht day? Are you part of Christ’s today?
Most of us only know parades - like Santa Clause parade, nice side attraction - fun community event - but here is a military parade that your whole future and purpose on earth depends, and in which your whole eternal future is wrapped up in. God so wants you to get this parade, to join this parade, to participate in this parade that He enacted 3x in history, captured here in and also the 3rd and grat fulfillment in SO I need to ask you do you get it, have you joined it, are you participating in it?
Key Truth: You must ‘get’, join, and participate in Christ’s Ascension Parade!
A. ‘Get’ God’s First Ascension from Egypt to Zion. ()
What a fresh, new ital picture of God we are give in the first third of this Psalm. is a reference to the Exodus … Whenever God signalled with the pillar of light and fire - lift up the tabernacle and move camp - Moses would say these words!
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.
Picture the Exodus like v.4 - God descened to hear -the cry of an enslaved people - moved with compassion - like Phaorah’s army scattereed routed, seek to flee - llok at Miriam and Moses composing and singing - v.3 the righteous jubiliant and singing = why? Well this God comes down from the ehavens and rides the clouds and the wind - rides through the wilderness of this world -
This God he goes down v.6 to the prisoners - breaks the chains, and he leads them to propsperity!
Do you see what this descending God is doing - so unlike the gods of Baal’s this is in contreast too -
Do you see what this descending God is doing - so unlike the gods of Baal’s this is in contreast too -
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
He is the father to the fatherless - adopting God - finds some in tough circurcumstances - lifts the humble poor protector of widows - seetling them by His active deliverance into home
He is the father to the fatherless - adopting God - finds some in tough circurcumstances - lifts the humble poor protector of widows - seetling them by His active deliverance into home
Do you see that their is no point to ascending if God didn’t first descend! But look what he does next.
Vv.7-8 He goes through the wilderness, the earth quakes after thrid day - God at Sinai and now the Exodus is pictured as God taking them from Sinai - where? Up. Ascending into the promised land. That’s the pace at the end of
When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.
God of the Patriarch’s El Shaddai led them to Mt Zalmon nE Sea of Galilee in the Promised Land.
The land of what of abudnant showweres of blessing of rain. Restoring His people, as a prized inheritance in the land, providing all for the needy.
And as we get up to this promised - listen women are singing -”They flee, they flee -the kingso f armies … v.14 the ALmighty scatters kings. What is this, just like in the conquest - just like with David’s victories - what are they doing - the spoils of the war - remember now to the victor bleong the _______. They are sharing it with all - the shepherds the mown at home…
This is the first picture you need to understant the Ascension Parade of Jesus Christ, its God’s Ascension after the Exodus into the Promised Land. And it is one in whcih God defeats the oppressors, the evil kings - enemis of His kingdom of grace, and lifts up and share the spoils to enter a time of peace security, and joy!
And what is this llok at the enemy v.12-14 they
I wonder if you do the same about Jesus Christ’s vicotry of which this was just the symbol, the type, rough sketch of. Ephesians tells us he too descended first - came down in compassion to our slavery - by death of the First Born of Himself - paid dearly to ransom us - three hours takes on the wrath of God against sin, the direct attack of Satan, scorn of the world, the inescapable enemy of death, even hell itself. Yes he descended to save us.
But what is this - the earth quakes at his death; the earth quakes again at his rising - hear He is marching out of the wilderness of hell and then from the grave - for forty days proving - He is the victor - and to the Victor Belong the Spoils - and there is his church beginning Thomas - the church is singing - they flee they flee - .. God has met us trapped by sin and death and hell, and in Christ - as Wesley put it so well, he breaks the power of cancled sin -and sets the prisoner free - that is you and me - Heal wa bruised, but now he crushes the head of the armies of darkness - -scatters the principalities and the powers - and He says to you and me let me lead you to prosperiety! Led captivity captive… Sampson with gates on his shoulders…
That is a picture of the victory that we must celebrate in Christ, but it is the second picture in the Psalm that tells us how we must join the parade!
B. Join the Captives in Christ’s Train
Now the scene changes in .
The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged are the mountains of Bashan.
Mt. Bashan fertile region NE of the Sea of Galillee - hghest peak there being Mt Hermon, it is now contrasted with the next place that God went up and ascend to? What is that?
David pictures Mt Bahsan looking at another Mountain in envy and hatred. What’s so special about you, about this other mountain? Which is it v. 16 Mount where God desired his abode, chose to dwell in foerver. Mount Zion in Jerusalem. And now you and I have got to ask: When did God ascend to Mt. Zion? Keep looking
The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
This is what perplexed me? How does Mt. Sinai get jammed into the tent, the box in the Tent - that David brought up to Mt. Zion in Jerusalem? You see that is the occassion for which David wrote this Psalm!
Remeber the ark of the covenant - wonders - dangerous, never touch, - why God dwelt in glory and holiness there - something so beautiful - remember after Uzzah touched and died, came to rest in home of Oded-edom - LORD dwelt there - blessed - and then seeing blessing of that household and all that belonged to Him - David brought up with much rejoicing - get that picture in your head - and the blessing of God dwelling with his peole -
David understands taht the way God dwelt with a heavnly army - chariots, tanks - at Snaai - now ascending to dwell in centre of HIs people nation Israel! As David led in this - he takes on the role not only of king, but of priest sacrfices, and knwoig the prosperity God would bring as he dwells with people David lifts his hands blesses in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the people and what is more David gives gifts to all those who followed him and joined the parade - to the whole nation men and women - a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and cake of raisins to each ones!
David understands taht the way God dwelt with a heavnly army - chariots, tanks - at Snaai - now ascending to dwell in centre of HIs people nation Israel! As David led in this - he takes on the role not only of king, but of priest sacrfices, and knwoig the prosperity God would bring as he dwells with people David lifts his hands blesses in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the people and what is more David gives gifts to all those who followed him and joined the parade - to the whole nation men and women - a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and cake of raisins to each ones!
Do you see it now the importance of joinging this parade? The Lord Jesus Christ, after descending gaining the victory on the Cross, brekaing the back of your guilt and Satan’s dominon over you - he ascends to where - one fell swoop from the cross, Exodus, to the Pormised Land Mt Zalmon - not high enough , to Mt Zion into the sanctuary - from their he will
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.Selah
minster to us daily - bearing up our wonds, cleansing us, bringing deliverances from death and sin and Satan…
WAnd Ephesians tells us this what Christ was doing 40 days after His resurrection. Not just oh he went up - ascnesion is a formal occassion - to a specific place - NT tells us didn’t just go up and pop into heaven. No, he ascended into the heavenly tabernacle, of which tabernacle, temple would just be models. He ascended like David - and what was Jesus doing - favourite picture at end of - lifting up his hands - stilll today in blessing. Waht is he doing up there - not like David, or any of the other OT priests - minsiter forgivness but never enough - have to stand again and again, But now ONce for all presents sacrfice to Father in heaven - it is enough - NOw he sits at the Father’s righthand - as our representative forever .. and now I need to know have you jioned HIm in his ascension!
Look at the end of
When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious— that you, O Lord God, might dwell there.
You need to understand something about military parades in Bible times. TO the vicotr belongs the ______. But the spoils include also people! THink of long train of refugees crossing Africa, into Medeterarreina.. Christ wins his victory - and the rebels - those who won’t submit are chained to his chariot parade - part of the many captives of the war. Satan and his minioin, spritual power sin the heavenlies - broken and resstarined from deceive by tthe gospel; death’s stinger taken by Christ - so the grave’s become an entrance not a punishment.
V. 19 Deliver from death =.
and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
and those who rebelious won’t submit they will be led by Christ to their humiliation - but what is this throng of those who do see this new king, do submit? Is that you - struggle with sin seem stuck in rebellious ways, you work on ly for your own little kingdom of comfort and welath, pleasure…
But these - kiss the king like in , and follow HIm up to Mt Zion - were they are accepted in a great congregation of the redeemed!
- and they dance with the greater Son of David, and led up into His kingdom, to enjoy HIs gifts, and His future!
And they dance with the greater Son of David, and led up into His kingdom, to enjoy HIs gifts, and His future!
And that brings us to the wonder of . David fileld with the HOly Spirit. Speaks not of himself ascending, but Christ and then later Peter tell us David was a prophet - spoke of Messiah greater than he or Hsi Son sSolomon though saw him from afar!
C. Participate in Ascension with the Procession Gifts
I don’t know about you but I hate lines. Traffic, Canada’s Wonderline, Disney Land - see if people get lined up - no purpose … stuck in lines. The last scene of ascension is the spiritual meaning of this text, not yet fulfilled, but so vivid that David describes it as already having taken place. And he says v.18 You ascended on high … says YOu receive gifts among men … victor belong the _______. v. 28 kings shall bear gifts to you.
But now LXX and NT different emphasis , what did Christ do with the gifts he received?
Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Do you understand this? This is why Jesus said he must not only die, rise, but go away from us physicailly, he had to be taken up into heaven, ascened to Father’s right hand - and it would be better for us! Why?
Jesus Christ - receives greatest gift of all the fullness of the HOly SPirit in a new way - distruutes those gifts to every single believer, and to the church as a whole -
Understand if Christ , physically with us, limited; understand if didn’t assume the throne of David, and of heaven and earth - he could not communicate that victory to us. But Christ does ascend locally, visibly, bodily; but he does not ascend alone!
Look at
Look at
Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
Look at the next verse who else is comoing - singers and virgins playing tamborine,s Look at
Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel.
V.27 WHo ois the first in this line - least of God’s oeple Benjamin, smallest tribe, youngest - not the storng ad the mighty , then Judah leader then Zeb and Naptali..
Point is that the Messiah not ahppened to descned and then ascend into heaven alone! God came down - and the goal of the whole thing is that in the ascend is You - the great congregation - God’s people - the Messiah leads us up to the True Tabernacle!
Do you udnertand this? The union of Christ with all who submit to him in faith and repentance and say - I want to be part of your vicotry oyour kingdom - they are so tightly connected with Christ - that they have died with him, risen with him, they are seated in the heavenlyies with him - How now only by the power fo the Holy Spirit but ture uinon with Christ and the goal of it all is v. 18 - that you Lord God might dwell there!
Do you udnertand this? The union of Christ with all who submit to him in faith and repentance and say - I want to be part of your vicotry oyour kingdom - they are so tightly connected with Christ - that they have died with him, risen with him, they are seated in the heavenlyies with him - How now only by the power fo the Holy Spirit but ture uinon with Christ and the goal of it all is v. 18 - that you Lord God might dwell there!
He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
Do you see it the point of all three parades, Exodus, David’, and Christ’s was to lead God’s people to palce of the assembly - where little Benjamins, and sinful rebels like you and me - meet with our David of the tribe of Judah - receive gifts - not only to trumpet and sing God’s praise - but just like when thos gifts from the people were received by David, and then used later to build the temple, the dwelling place of God - so became a house of prayer for the nations!
So too now the novbles from Egypt, have come, Ethipians from Cush, Dutch, Canadians, Mexicans - here in Christ’s new dewelkling place - realized in heaven, but spiritually present even now by the Spirit on earth - here people are v.31 submiting themselves to God -literally stretching out her hands to God… saying I will be your willing servant with these new gifts, and your presence here among us, and ours up in heaven with You!
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord,Selah to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice.
Do you see it? He who is author and giver of life, who is our health and slavtion , He who is the Creator and GOvenor orf the World, also the Redeemer and Sanctifier of His CHurch - because he ahs ascended and received all power - and is giving gifts to men!
Do participate in the parade of the ascension today? The power of God’s kigdom shifted from Exodus to Mt Zion in ISrae, SPiritual Mt Zion in heaven which is united to Zion on earth which is the poeol in whom GOd dwells by this gift of the HOly Spirit … until Christ returns and the bride and bridgrrom united, the head and his body on earth. Jesus went away says got live by this gift, this dynamic of living abiding in me, aby abiding in my Spirit - using the gifts of the Spirit. Just like the first ascnsion were followed by God dwelling maong his people in smoke and gfire - the Holy Ghost comes down on HIs church now - falling as propehts say like Rain in abundance!
Oh Dear people - has God gone up from Egypt to Promised Land. Gone up from Exdous to Zion? Has God in Christ gone up from the depths of our sin, punshment, our death -tinto the fulness of a retored humanity in heaven.
Do you see the whole story of ascnesion? Not just Exodus, David’s ZIon, and Christ going up because finsihed time here! God had designed for all His people to go up to Him and find communion - dwell with us!
Adam forfeited his desinty of leading human family to that communion - bring creatino to consummation! But Christ conquereed were Aadam couldn’t - in huamn flesh became the King we need and who leads us to real commuion with God! Only have the first fruits of that by His Spirit - but guaranteeed to be where Christ is enjoy that full commuion - as brings heaven and earth back to one! But Christ has one the victory and guaragtneed that our lives will end in consummation of commuinon - the question is are you turning to this Ascend Christ - live in my parade! THis Jesus not only the LORD who became a servant to secure heaven for us. He remains now even in heaven as LORD of all, the great servant for our good - distruibuting gitfs, conquering death, dethroning evil, bearing us up!
Set your hearts on him live united to him, every area of life - you will find him there to bear up our burdens daily, find Him in glory uniting Him to yourself in theavenlies, you will find HIm loaidng you with abudnant gifts for service in His kingdom!
Oh Dear people - has God gone up from Egypt to Promised Land. Gone up from Exdous to Zion? Has God in Christ gone up from the depths of our sin, punshment, our death -tinto the fulness of a retored humanityin heaven.. Set your hearts on him live united to him, every area of life - you will find him there to bear up our burdens daily, find Him in glory uniting Him to yourself in theavenlies, you will find HIm loaidng you with abudnant gifts for service in His kingdom!
Do ou belive this - then greatest motive for evangelism - effective minsitnty of love to those who are lost - Jesus gone before to bring us where He is - real place , real kingdom even if invisible now!
and we will find Nobles, and rebels, famly and neighbours, strangers and saints and siners gaterhing to HIm in Christ’s church!
Psalm 68:35
You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!
O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
Congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ,
If you If you capture a number of caterpillars and place them on the rim of a msall clay pot so that they are all facing the same direction, they will keep marching around in parade formation until at least one falls off, exhausted or famished. If tehre are no significant gaps between them the caterpillars, each assumes the one ahead knows where to go and none has the will to break the chain voluntarily. Keep in step following a non existe t leader. Humans since Adams like that too. Do what the crowd marching too , only parade so many ever know and they will fall too! Cycicla cynical view of life congregation ...
But ours is a life - in which Christ has gone away to prepare a place for us - preparing a whole new creation for you and me - Purpose of this life is to get into HIs parade - and then as you live for the new life - get marching with his parade, equipped with his gifts - start to give everythin in your life the shape of the things to come! March of God with humans, is a march of nobles - let’s follow the True Head, Groom, Saviour! Amen.