05/17/2023
Following Jesus into Transfiguration and on to Ascension is my thought this morning, but beyond that I also look forward towards Pentecost. Will I, can I, understand what Jesus felt and became during His transfiguration, at Gethsemane, and His Ascension into heaven? Perhaps not, perhaps not yet, but I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. The promise of "another", a comforter that is very real to us.
“And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, blessing God.”
Luke 24:50-53 ASV
At the time when Jesus Ascended several things happened that bear thought. First He led His Apostles to a place where heaven and earth were to touch one another; not just spiritually, but in a physical manner. He was going to let them witness His going where they could not follow. Then He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Blessing them became His final act towards them before ascending into heaven, oh to have such a blessing. Then He separated Himself from them, and finally, Jesus ascended... He didn't fly or levitate on His own, but was carried into heaven. The realm of heaven and earth touched for that instant and the Son of Man was carried into the presence of God, who recognized Him as His Son.
What an incredible sight and moment those apostles experienced! We too will join in such a moment at the second coming, Isaiah prophesied it:
“Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth the dead.”
Isaiah 26:19 ASV
Then Paul wrote the Thessalonians about it...
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ASV
And finally, John witnessed it and wrote of it in the Revelation of Christ as he saw the resurrection of the dead occurring:
“The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.”
Revelation 20:5 ASV
But until that time we are not left barren here in our lives... the Holy Spirit resides with and in us. The apostles were blessed at the time of the Ascension, but it didn't end there! They joyously returned to Jerusalem to await the comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, because they trusted in the promise of Jesus...
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you.”
John 14:16-17 ASV
And as the apostles waited, they were continually in the temple where they prayed. Interestingly, they weren't praying for the comforter to come, but were "blessing God" because they had the absolute faith that the comforter was coming... all doubt had been removed and their faith was nearing completion.
So will I know the Ascension as Jesus knew it? No! But, I will know a resurrection and an ascension. Will I know what it was like for Jesus to be carried into the presence of God and seated at His right hand? No! But I will enter into the presence of God with praise on my lips and joy unspeakable. These things I look to with great anticipation, and I long for the day when I will experience them and humble myself before God.
In the meantime I will praise the Father and Jesus, and continually be in the temple, blessing God. Although the Holy Spirit dwells in me, I ask you this question... "Does He dwell in you?" If not, then listen to scripture and have faith in the promise of his coming. Then, go to church with great joy and bless God. Let your faith in the coming of the comforter be unshakeable and your prayers unceasing until he comes to you. Take great joy because Pentecost is at hand!!!
“And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:1-4 ASV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the death, burial, resurrection, and Ascension of your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for allowing us to witness through the eyes of the apostles His joining with you in heaven, and thank you for the promise and arrival from heaven of your Holy Spirit. Holy Father, our comforter is more than just an aid to our faith, he is the infusion of heaven and you into each one of us who receives him. You are great Father, and never leave us alone. In your presence we have stood, in Jesus we have been saved, and through your Holy Spirit we are joined with you in Spirit. Praised be your name, and may the hearts and faiths of those who are yet to know you opened by your Word, where they might be saved by Jesus, and filled with your Spirit.
Rich Forbes