Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May 1/61

Contributor - Rev. Henry E. Franken

Title - Jesus Was Taken Up

Topic - Ascension

What strange things have happened! Suppose that some one of your family had died some time ago and then suddenly stood before you alive. What would you say? You would be astonished an d so astonished that you would not know what to say. So maybe you would ask, "Is that really you or am I dreaming? Where did you come from? How was it there?" etc. You would be too excited to think straight. A thousand thoughts would crowd in. That is what happened in Jerusalem at Jesus' death and resurrection. We read that many arose and came out of the graves and appeared unto many in Jerusalem. So when Jesus showed Himself it isn't strange that the disciples thought He was going to set things straight and make a millennium of peace possible. There was an expectancy created among them, that something tremendous was going to happen.

The disciples would like to know the secrets of God and be the first ones to tell it. So they asked, "Lord wilt thou restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Jesus told them what part they would play in the plans of God. They must be satisfied that God would play His part and do it well. Children have a certain responsibility in the household and better leave it to the Father to regulate His affairs. The revealed things are for man but the hidden things are for God. It is clearly revealed that it is our task to fill the earth with the knowledge of God and the way of salvation.

It is the task of disciples to evangelize the world. That is big enough for them and it was never yet accomplished. We cannot report to God that our mission is accomplished. In fact it seems too big for us and getting bigger. It would be too big if we did not have the promise of the Holy Spirit. it is in the power of the Holy Spirit that the task is to be done. This is a fact that is often easily forgotten. It is the last thing Jesus said to His disciples on earth. He willed to them the Holy Spirit and gave them the responsibility to evangelize the whole world. It is His Last Will and Testament.

The angels fill in the gap. Suddenly Jesus was taken up or ascended and was taken out of their sight. The angels remind them that Jesus is coming again. He is coming to judge the quick and the dead; the reward will be according as to what men have done, good or evil. The angels had been present at His birth and at His resurrection and now attend His ascension and they will be present at His return.

What was there for them to do but go home? The commission they received was taken seriously. They must fill the earth with the message of salvation. But they cannot do it in their own strength. They need the Spirit of God. He is promised, so they dare pray on the basis of the promise. They went home to pray. And would that prayer was taken more seriously in our day.

How wonderfully those prayers and supplications were answered. The ascended Christ heard and answered their prayers. Pentecost was the result. Where the church has dared to go ahead on faith, there has been the power of the Holy Spirit. Or ought we to say, Where the Holy Spirit has come upon Christians there the church has dared to go ahead. It is when the Holy Spirit is come upon the disciples or followers of Christ that results are seen.

It is to our benefit that Christ has ascended. He has desired to have us understand that. His ascension has made the Holy Spirit available unto us. The Spirit has come forth from the Father and the Son. John 16 : 7.

We confess, "I believe ... 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. I believe in the Holy Spirit." Ought we to add, "I believe that we have responsibility to evangelize the world before he comes to judge the quick and the dead?" The ascended Lord is working; and waiting for us to finish the task. Those who are most enthusiastic in this task are most desirous that He come again. May we watch and pray and say: Come quickly. So ends the book of Revelations 22 :20, Come, Lord Jesus. And for this we need His grace. Read Acts 1 :6-14.

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