The Ascension

The Ascension – Acts 1:1-11

I want to deal in this talk with the subject of the Ascension of Jesus. I have never dared to preach about it before but I seem to have been unable to put the idea out of my mind. It is I am afraid a very much neglected teaching… We fight shy of dealing with it perhaps because it cannot be treated as a natural occurrence. It is true the event cannot be explained naturally but let me say at once that if it cannot be explained in scientific terms, neither can science explain it away. The Christian religion is one of revelation rather than direct observation and actually we could not have known God at all had He not revealed Himself. He does of course leave us to discover some things for ourselves. Those discoveries constitute our science, but there are some things that are only matters of revelation and faith, because we cannot discover them by any other means.

The ascension is part of that revelation and we have to try and see what it means.

THE NECESSITY

It is very easy to see, I think, the necessity of Christ’s ascension. Since that God had become man it was inevitable.

He had dwelt amongst men as a man with men. But thus to become man was to be at the mercy of men. It left men free to either accept or reject his sovereignty. It was even possible for men to scorn His word and put Him to death. It was possible. In fact it happened.

He entered our history by birth, in the usual way and thus far He seemed likely to leave it in the usual way by death. But it couldn’t just end like that if God were to be true. The fact that Jesus did die shows how easily and completely goodness can be defeated when all the might of evil that men can muster is pitted against it.

If such a death had been the end of Christ’s life then victory would have remained with evil. But it wasn’t. The resurrection contradicts all that. Yet to prove that Jesus was sent from God wasn’t something more even necessary?

After his resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples in many places and at various times. They were strange appearances too. He came to them through closed doors and met them in most surprising places. In fact they could never be quite sure when He was absent. But this kind of visitation couldn’t go on indefinitely. There were very dear and reassuring but they were localised. He could only be in one place at one time. And had He not promised to be with them always. He he not said that it was expedient that He should go away of the abiding presence of the comforter would not come. Yes there had to be more than the resurrection. He had to return to the Father. But how were the appearances to cease? How was that beloved body to be withdrawn from them so as not to leave them wondering if He would be coming again? It must be done in such a way that they knew they would see Him no more, and yet it must happen so that they knew he was the SON of GOD and that he had conquered. There new faith must be confirmed and assured. Yes since that the word had become flesh and dwelt amongst men the ascension was necessary.

And so – we know the story – he gathered His followers over towards Bethany and after He has blessed them etc they saw Him ascend and while they still watched the a cloud receive Him out of their sight.

I know that men have tried to argue that all the after resurrection appearances of Jesus and not less the story of the ascension were the imaginations of overwrought minds, but they haven’t explained why or how they ceased to be overwrought on one and the same day.

It is very unlikely that so many would be subject to such an imagination as the ascension at the same time. And it is strange that none of the disciples seem to have seen Him after. The whole story hangs together quite consistently. If this did not happen then what DID? There would be more confusion and a tremendous gap if the event of the ascension were omitted from our gospel.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE ASCENSION? then

What has it to teach us?

First as Paul says “He who began a good work will perform it unto the end.” God completes what he commences. Men may frustrate even delay the work but they can only delay it. The ascension of Jesus was not a retreat from the world. It was a return to the Father and the glory that was His. He entered human life to claim us and our allegiance. And though He was rejected He was not defeated. He took His place again, as a King would at His Father’s side. He never will be anything but a King. We sing “Crown Him with many crowns” and well can we do. Men’s rebellion against God may go on – justice may not seem to be apparent – But the truth is the world punishes itself – Jesus is King but a king who can wait. He knows that victory is His and His justice is tempered with mercy and patience.

In spite of all that men did Jesus persisted in His attitude of redeeming love and still does. He was not defeated and as Paul has it “Wherefore God has highly exalted Him” He reigns, and must until all bow the knee.

And the ascension assures me that God who begins a good work in will will perform it to the end. He became like us and was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin, and thereby proves what height of goodness can dwell in the human body like mine. A goodness that can fit us to dwell in the society of God.

Indeed God did not disdain to dwell in the society of men and it is a significant fact that Jesus took to Heaven a bodily form easily recognisable as His. - “And didst Thou take to heaven a human brow” - And art Thou His kinsman now?” Did I say significant – I should have said triumphant. Humanity in the society of God in Heaven. Our humanity then does not disqualify us from such a prospect. “I go to prepare a place for you – that where I am there ye may be also.”

Do you remember the story of Madam Curie the gifted woman who discovered radium. It is a wonderful story – but one in which the Christian faith has no place. No religious ceremony at wedding – children – no word of hope over husbands grave. Pierre Curie was killed in accident in Paris Street – she wrote in diary - “Everything is over. Pierre is sleeping his last sleep beneath the earth. It is the end of everything. Everything.”

She struggled on bravely – but I remember when I first read the story feeling how chill and dark the world would be if we had no hope such as that Jesus gives us in the words of his ascension.

Finally there is another thing I want to say. A thing perhaps of even greater importance. The disciples were quite satisfied that He had gone to be with his father. John says he came from God and went to God. Amongst men he was still the Son of God and now in Heaven he is Still the son of Man. He came amongst men to represent God and before God now he represent man. And so cires John we have an ADVOCATE with the Father. Have you noticed what a wonderful verse that is in Jean Ingelow’s hymn.

“By that one likeness which is ours and thine

By that one nature which doth hold us kin,

By that High heaven where sinless thou dost shine

To draw us sinners in.”

Isn’t that why we make all our prayers and requests in His name and for His sake.

His love for us brought Him to Bethlehem and in spite of Calvary, because He is both the Son of God and the Son of Man He loves us still and to those who desire Him he is ever present.

He has not withdrawn from conflict and left His followers to fight alone. He is nearer to us that breathing, closer than hands or feet.

He ascended on High that He might complete His work began and be with all His children everywhere at all times and in all places. That is to those who believe in Him.