"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles he had chosen." -- Acts 1:1, 2

 

". . . and his incomparably great power for those of us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." -- Ephesians 1:19-21

 

         A farmer once said to me, "In the spring of the year, a farmer has too much to do." It is true. When it is time to plow and plant, the work days grow long, depending on the crop, maybe all day and evening and through the night. Somehow, the spring becomes a busy time for all of us. When the grass grows and the leaves return to the trees, the days fill up with added work, family responsibilities, celebrations, graduations, confirmations, school activities, Little League games and a host of other things. And in the church, one result is that the telling of the Ascension of Jesus is easily lost.

         We tell the Gospel story in a seasonal way, beginning with Advent in the late fall and moving through Christmas and Epiphany, and on to reflect on the cross during Lent, and then Easter resurrection. We finish the telling of Good news in the Ascension of Jesus to heaven and the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Sometimes we get very busy with other things after Easter. But you have not really heard the Gospel without considering the Ascension and the gift of the Spirit.

         The same is true of the various films of the life of Jesus. There is great stress on the ministry of Jesus and the cross, hopefully some clear depiction of resurrection, and then they tend to end abruptly. The "Jesus" film is one that continues through the Ascension. The camera shows the disciples and then begins to move slowly upward, until finally they disappear from view, and then the horizon is seen and then the earth from space as the credits begin to roll. It is clever, but it makes it seem like Jesus is like a rocket ship going into outer space.

         How do you explain just what happens to Jesus when he ascends from earth into the clouds? C.S. Lewis tries in the Narnia stories by using a wardrobe that opens to another world. Sometimes it is just a closet, and sometimes it is a doorway. That may work in a children's story, but it does not get us too much farther. Back a few years when the Russians and the U.S were racing to get into space first, there was a story about the Russian cosmonaut who, when circling the globe, commented sarcastically that he could not see God. Where was God? To which an astronaut replied that if he would just step out of his space capsule, he would soon see God.

         It is still a mystery, and one that the biblical writers do not solve for us. They focus on two essential theological truths that come from the Ascension of Jesus. The first is captured in the Apostles' Creed, "he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead."

         The first message is that Jesus is exalted as Lord and judge of all. The second message is that Jesus is victorious over all spiritual powers and authority.

         The exaltation of Jesus is understood by considering the concept of "height" in the scripture. I found an article in a Bible dictionary to be helpful here. The "heights" is the realm of God and his dwelling, to which Jesus is exalted. It was first thought of spatially; it is "up." We still talk of heaven that way. But then it comes more to mean the wholly other in contrast to what man and the cosmos can conceive. It is not a place on top of a mountain or in outer space, but it is the holy realm of God and his salvation.

         In Hebrews, for instance, it is pictured as the holy of holies, where the high priest enters on the Day of Atonement.

         8:1, 2: "We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man."

         The exaltation of Jesus is the completion of God's action in his anointed son. Through his birth, life and ministry, death and resurrection, he is now Lord of heaven and earth.

         "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to he highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at he name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -- Philippians 2:8-11

         Klyne Snodgrass writes that the exaltation of Christ points to Christ's presence with God in the highest position, and that this is the vindication of his life, death and resurrection.

         The second meaning of the Ascension of Jesus is that Jesus is victorious over all spiritual powers. Paul mentions five categories of spiritual powers: rule, authority, power, dominion and title. Each of these terms refers to a type of spiritual being, often seen as the force behind oppressive human authority, and some believed them to control the movement of the stars to determine human fate and fortune. This is where the belief in astrological signs and horoscopes comes from. Paul's point is not to define these terms or give us insight into these spiritual powers, but rather to say that the victory of Christ over all power, real or imagined, is total.

Klyne writes, "The New Testament shows little interest in the powers other than to say that they are defeated. The powers are not in control; Christ is."

         In the ancient world, people felt controlled by fate, manipulated by unseen forces. They felt a great deal of despair, and so used magic, amulets, charms, rituals and astrological signs to try to get some protection from the spirits.

         Klyne points out that in our day the popular interest in angels and spirit guides is largely positive. People tend to think that any spiritual voice or revelation is going to be helpful to them. But over time these voices and messages and revelations become oppressive and lead people to despair.

         Jesus is victorious. He breaks the power of any authority that leads people to despair or to fear. The ascension and exaltation of Christ as Lord gives us confidence to live out our faith. We do not have to look elsewhere to find what we need for life.

         The issue for us is that of fear. Whenever we allow someone or some power to have greater authority than Christ in our lives, we fall into fear:

• For some the authority might come from alcohol or drugs, controlling substances that take away the ability to face the truth.
• For others it might be the judgments of others, the fear of criticism or rejection that takes away the freedom to speak and live the truth.
• For some it is human authorities, abusive or violent people that demand obedience.
• For some it is the authority of sin, the inability to be free of is demands.

         All these stop people from living and telling the truth.

         But the Ascension of Jesus proclaims the Gospel that all authority in heaven and earth is Christ's. He is Lord. His authority breaks the power of every oppressive authority that brings fear. By looking to him with faith, we have power to overcome our fear.

         The Ascension of Jesus prepares us for the gift of the Holy Spirit. To first know that Jesus is Lord, allows us to receive his power for a life guided by the Holy Spirit. When you turn to Christ as the authority in your life, you lose your fear. You experience freedom over the power of sin. Then you receive power to live in a new way.

         Amen.