Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Have you ever been amazed at how a plane, weighing over 150,000 pounds, can lift off the ground and stay in the air until it reaches its destination? Whenever you fly in a plane, you probably don’t even think about how it is going to get off the ground. You likely take it for granted, even though you may not understand how it happens. When the pilot announces “cleared for takeoff,” you prepare yourself for an increased acceleration and a gradual ascent of the plane into the air. I don’t pretend to understand how it all occurs, realizing that God’s natural laws, the plane’s fuel, and the plane’s design all play a major role. In examining the question of how a plane lifts off the ground, I consulted the website of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Its condensed explanation was as follows: “The size and shape of the wing, the angle at which it meets the oncoming air, the speed at which it moves through the air, even the density of the air, all affect the amount of lift a wing creates.”
I’m sure you realize that I’m not writing today to explain how a plane flies. I’m certainly not qualified to explain this, as you may have already guessed. Why do I even mention a plane’s flight? I was thinking how it might feel for us as human beings to fly like a plane does. Imagine what it would be like to suddenly ascend from the earth! It would be similar to a helium balloon being released into the air. . . it keeps ascending higher and higher until it disappears from your view. It would be like a bird flapping its wings and soaring into the air. We realize that God has not designed our physical bodies to take their flight in this way. You can jump from a high point, and no matter how much you wave your arms, you will not fly into the air but will certainly fall to the ground and often feel the pain of the sudden thud.
My focus today is on the One who did ascend from the earth in a physical body—a glorified physical body. We continue our study of this unique Person—the God-man, the Savior who left heaven, took on human flesh in the form of the body, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again from the dead—the Lord Jesus Christ. What happened after His resurrection? He appeared to many different individuals and groups for forty days until one day, after giving His apostles the commission to be His witnesses, the following occurred: “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Imagine being there! The apostles fixed their eyes on their Savior and Lord as He soon disappeared, probably not believing what they were seeing and being saddened by His departure. We emphasize our Savior’s death and resurrection, and so we must, because that is the gospel message by which we are saved. But how important is His ascension? “What’s So Important About His Departure?”
The historical event of the Ascension. . . . it actually happened!
Foretold in the Old Testament (Psa. 68:18—Eph. 4:8; Psa. 110:1—Acts 2:33-34)
Predicted by the Lord Jesus (John 7:33-36; 8:21; 14:28-29; 16:5; Matt. 25:14-15)
Declared by the Gospel Writers (Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:6-11)
Confirmed by the Eyewitnesses of the Exalted Christ (Acts 7:55-56; 9:3-6; Rev. 1:12-20; 4:1; 5:6)
Proclaimed in the Epistles (Eph. 4:10; Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 3:1; I Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:3; 4:14; 6:20; 7:26; 8:1; 9:24; 10:12-13; 12:2; I Pet. 3:22)
Assumed by the doctrine of the Return of Christ (Acts 1:9-11; I Thess. 1:9-10; 4:16-18)
John F. Walvoord points out four key characteristics of Christ’s Ascension: it was gradual, visible, bodily, and received with clouds, which will all be true of His return to earth (Jesus Christ Our Lord, p. 223). Charles Ryrie mentions, “Christ actually traveled up as if supported by the cloud [Acts 1:9]. The ascent was not a sudden disappearance but a gradual, though not long, movement upward” (Basic Theology, p. 270).
The doctrinal explanation for the Ascension. . . . it’s essential to our Christian faith!
It marked the end of Christ’s humiliation and the beginning of His state of exaltation (Jn.17:5; Phil.2:5-11).
It demonstrated the sufficiency of His finished work on the cross for our redemption (Heb.1:3; 10:11-13).
It exalted Him as Head over all things to the Church (Eph. 1:20-23; 4:7-10; I Pet. 3:22).
It made Him the Forerunner of all those who would follow through faith in Him (Heb. 6:19-20).
It initiated His ministry as the High Priest and Intercessor for His people (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:23-26).
It opened the door for His present work through the Holy Spirit upon His departure (Jn. 16:5-7; Acts 2:33).
The practical effects of the Ascension. . . . it has life-changing results!
It should bring joy to the heart of the believer (Luke 24:50-53; John 14:28-29).
It should motivate us to focus on heavenly things, where we are seated with Christ (Col. 3:1-4).
It should result in steadfastness to Christ (Heb. 4:14).
It should give us confidence as we approach Him in prayer and as He intercedes for us (Heb. 4:14-16).
It should impart to us great hope in Christ as our Forerunner (Heb. 6:17-20).
It should demonstrate to us the marvelous possibilities of a glorified body (Jn.20:19; Acts 1:9; Phil.3:20-21).
Following His ascension into heaven, the Lord Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father. He currently is active in ministering as our High Priest and Advocate. We look forward to that day when He will catch us up to be with Him eternally. This crucified, risen, ascended, exalted, and returning Savior and Lord deserves our highest praise!
Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie