Rejoice in the Ascension

Intro

Icebreaker: How would you feel, if your best friend suddenly left?

It’s hard when people leave, or when they aren’t in your life anymore

Story: Hardest part of getting older, I miss my friends (Wilmington)

It’s interesting to look at the disciples reaction when Jesus leaves (not the first, but the second time)

Context

Talked about Joy from Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection

He’s alive

Scriptures are True

Spirit of Resurrection in us

Luke 24:48–51 ESV

48 You are witnesses of these things. 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.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.

If you were one of the disciples, how would you respond?

Luke 24:51–53 ESV

51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

How do the disciples respond? Why?

52 - Worshiped Jesus

53 - “Blessing” (praising) God

We Rejoice Because Jesus is Exalted

Review of Humiliation and Exaltation

Review of Christ’s ‘3 offices’

Prophet - Speak to man on behalf of God.

Priest - Speak to God on behalf of man. (Pray, intercede, mediate, offer sacrifices, middle-man)

King - to rule, reign, have authority, be loved, cherished, even worshipped (when God is king)

In this passage, we see Jesus’ exaltation in all 3 offices

As Prophet - to send his Holy Spirit to Us (v. 48-49)

When Jesus ascends into heaven, his dramatic exit is similar to another prophet. Who is it? (Elijah)

His exit reminds us that he is an even greater prophet.

Elijah’s prophecy stopped when he went to heaven. But Jesus still speaks to us as a prophet today. How does he do that?

Scripture Who wrote Scripture? How did men write Scripture, and it still be God’s word? (The Holy Spirit)

The Holy Spirit in us (not hearing a voice, but being reminded of the Truth of Scripture, and leading us to live Godly lives)

v. 49 - “the promise of the Father,” causes us to be “clothed with power”

3rd person of the Trinity, equal to the Father and the Son in their divinity

Sometimes Jesus calls him “The Helper”

John 16:5–7 ESV

5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Why is it the disciples advantage if Jesus goes away?

Because Jesus is exalted as exalted as a Prophet, he can send the Holy Spirit to us.

“Faith would be so much easier if Jesus were here”

“The Holy Spirit inside you, is Better than Jesus Beside You”

Those who have faith in Jesus, have the Holy Spirit.

How is he exalted as priest?

As Priest - to bless us and represent us (v. 50, 51)

Jesus lifts his hands and blesses his disciples.

This is something that the priests of the OT would do.

What even is a blessing? What does it mean to bless someone?

Expression of God’s favor. “The Lord be with You”

Example: Benediction at the end of Church

It’s amazing to think, this is the last thing Jesus did with his disciples.

It reminds us, that he is our great high priest, exalted in heaven.

Romans 8:34 ESV

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

We should rejoice, because our great priest, our representative, the God-man, is in heaven, blessing us, and representing us before God.

Illustration: We all need someone who has our back, no matter what.

Jersey Mikes - a manager named Roger - he always covered for me. (Cookie story - “I’ll cover for you”)

Jesus is that man for you. He’s covered you. And he has your back as your priest. Representing you before the Father in heaven today.

Lastly, how is he exalted as king?

As King - to his rightful place of rule and worship. (v. 52)

Jesus came from heaven, and he went back to heaven.

What evidence in this passage shows us that Jesus is God?

The disciples worshiped Jesus

something only God deserves.

They were Jews, strict monotheists

Go to Temple to worship God, which proves that they saw Jesus and God as equals.

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he ascended as our divine King. Sitting back in his rightful place of rule and worship.

I want to close, considering Daniel’s vision of this. This is what happened when Jesus ascended.

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

If the Son of Man is Jesus, who is the “Ancient of Days”? (God the Father)

What does the Ancient of Days do to the Son of Man in these verses? (Gives)

What is given to him?

Who is in the kingdom?

What do the members of the kingdom do?

How long shall the kingdom last?

And it will never be destroyed.

Food for thought: A human being is the reigning king of the universe. The God-man, Jesus.

The human body that Jesus took on in his birth, the body he resurrected with, is still with him today!

That’s mind-blowing to me.

Conclusion

Illustration: The Dark Knight Rises - Batman is back in his rightful place.

We rejoice, because our prophet, our priest, and our king is back in his rightful place on his throne.

As Prophet - to send his Holy Spirit to Us (v. 48-49)

As Priest - to bless us and represent us (v. 50, 51)

As King - to his rightful place of rule and worship. (v. 52)

When your life feels like its out of control - it’s important to remember, Jesus is back on his throne. (In his rightful place)

The kingdom of darkness is dying, and Jesus is building his kingdom. Where you won’t have pain anymore.

If you are outside of the kingdom, I invite you today to come in, by having faith in the King, and worshipping him with your whole life.