Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/67

Contributor - S. Ter Louw

Title - Ascension

Topic - Meditation

Acts 1:9 "And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight."

Luke 24:52

"And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy."

Ascension is only 40 days after Easter - the Day of Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Easter, a day that almost the entire world observes, with intent or by consent. Easter and Christmas are known everywhere and effect most people - but Ascension Day is all too often delegated to an almost forgotten file - an after thought or an anti-climax. Millions in the world know nothing of the day, Pentecost may fare a bit better, but not too much. Even the Christian Church in general doesn't become too excited about it.

Why is this? Surely it is important! To speak so enthusiastically about the Resurrection and then all but ignore the Ascension sounds like an 'unfinished symphony'. Someone tells about the rich man, who when he died, left 27 unfinished projects. Resurrection without Ascension would leave men confused, and 'God is not the author of confusion' - 1 Cor. 14 : 33. Ascension completed the mission of Christ and climaxed His redemptive work - John 20 : 17.

Ascension is really a continuation of the question asked at the tomb on Easter morning - Luke 24: 5, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" Earth and earthly beings speak of only one ultimate conclusion - death! And since He is the living Saviour the place of the dying would hardly be the proper abode for Him.

Even though Christ's mission is earthward, that is, to redeem lost and fallen mankind who are pilgrims (passive) upon earth, His abode is heavenly: His desire was heavenly: His origin was heavenly! "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, o Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." John 17 : 4-5 - vs. 11, "And now I am no longer in the world" - vs. 24, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world."

Obviously the Resurrected Christ, the living Saviour could have little place in an atmosphere where men claim and live as if "God is dead". We have looked down all too often and too long: looking down we see only the grave, the tomb, 'the abode of the dead! As we look up beyond the empty tomb, the empty cross, yes the empty place He had once occupied in the midst of His disciples - then we can see the completed work of redemption: we see 'the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" Rev. 13 : 8: "Fear not, for I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth and was dead: and behold I am alive forever more, Amen." Rev. 1 : 17-18. He is a LIVING Saviour!

How is it possible that men pay so little attention to the Ascension? Can it be the language - the terminology? I find more awareness of the Ascension among the Dutch people and is it possible that the Dutch word as used in the title - "Hemelvaart" - is more expressive? There may be an ascension to the top of the ski slope, or a baloon ascension, or even an ascension to a throne - but "hemelvaart" means journey to heaven! He had said: "But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee," Matt. 26 : 32 - But He also said: "I go and prepare a place for you, that where I am ye may also be" - and here He spoke of the 'heavenly mansions!' Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 5 : 1: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Can we not see that He had to go before us, so that we might walk "In His Steps?"

The giving of the Holy Spirit - the Comforter has equal value we know, but today we think of Ascension "Hemelvaart" - Jesus Christ, our Saviour, our Redeemer, our Advocate, going to the right hand of God, to plead our (my) cause, our (my) case at the judgment bar! "The disciples worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." Was it any wonder they had joy? Hallelujah for the Resurrected, the Risen, the Ascended Christ!

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