Ascension: Gone for the
“Let me assure you, it is better for you that I go away. I say this because when I go away I will send the Helper to you. But if I did not go, the Helper would not come.” (John 16:7 ERV)
You are warmly welcome! Let us talk about Christ’s Ascension, since just a few days ago Thu 09 May marked exactly forty days since we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ… after which, “he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (Acts 1:3,9).
Reading the ascension story in Acts 1 leaves one with a ping-pong feel just as it was for the disciples: was it really better that Jesus leaves them, or should he have stayed? Should he restore the kingdom to Israel or establish a much larger Christendom? These two questions may have easy answers for us – the better answer, but there is a sense in which the desires of the flesh still drag us to the lesser alternative. We will come back to those who saw him go up, but let us first contemplate on the one who did not – Judas Iscariot; when did he stop following Jesus? It may seem like he stopped after the last supper, the night his betrayal was executed vividly, but in reality, his backsliding must have begun much longer ago! Much more dangerous than the sinners at the city square are such who backslide and still remain at the Lord’s table; beware of them, and beware that you are not one of them.
Luke’s Gospel and Acts record the ascension well, but John’s Gospel offers more clearly four reasons why it is better – profitable, expedient and advantageous – that Jesus goes away. First, national salvation: he was a sacrificial lamb who died that the nation and the children of God scattered abroad would be saved (11:50-52); second, celestial preparation: he went to prepare a place for those he would return and take home (14:3); thirdly, he was going to the Father, who is greater and His will should be honoured as priority above all others (14:28); and the fourth reason, he went so that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit would come down and stay (16:7). It is indeed true that Jesus’ going away was to the greater advantage of the witnesses and all believers then and there and thereafter, to our generations.
Summarizing the above benefits brings us to the conclusion that a much larger and longer Christendom was the focus of Jesus Christ than the small kingdom the disciples were longing for. There are things or relationships you are tightly holding onto, yet they are limiting you from advancing to greater heights and larger lands – let go of them. Even if it is scary at first, just release yourself to that better season; the Father has made provisions for your thriving. Most importantly, may the ever-present Holy Spirit guide you in the way of life until the Lord Jesus returns to take home the beloved children of God. God bless you all.