Fear Not, I Am with You

            The Bible records that when the disciples of Jesus saw Him leave and ascend back to Heaven, they were heavy-hearted.  These faithful men had been through a lot.  They had witnessed Jesus undergo an unfair trial and, as a result, face crucifixion.  After Jesus’ crucifixion, they had the devastating job of burying Him.  Next, they were blown away by the news that Jesus had been raised from the dead (as He had predicted).  All of this was followed by a 40-day period of time when Jesus kept appearing to them.  Finally, with the ascension, He was gone again.  With this mind-numbing series of events, the apostles were having a difficult time keeping up. 

            It is into this whirlwind of events that God sent two angels.  The angels were sent as a gentle rebuke to these confused men; the angels told the apostles that Jesus would come back in the same way they had seen Him leave. This might seem like a strange message to us, but it was an important reminder to the apostles.  The angels were encouraging the disciples to remember the words and promises of Jesus.  These men, who were initially discouraged by the sudden disappearance of Jesus, would remember that Jesus left them in order for two things to happen.  The first thing was that when Jesus left, He would send the Holy Spirit to baptize them in His power.  Acts 2 records the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.  While this was a great thing to look forward to, there was another reason Jesus ascended and left the disciples - He was returning to Heaven to ascend to His rightful throne.

            The Biblical doctrine of the ascension of Jesus is not about Jesus traveling from Jerusalem to another place in the cosmos.  It is about Jesus returning to Heaven and resuming His rule over all creation.  Remember what the Christmas story is all about.  The Christmas story is about Jesus leaving Heaven to be born of a virgin.  In this miraculous birth, Jesus became the “God-Man." This is what the incarnation is all about.  God set aside His majestic fullness and power to become a servant.  God came to this world and was fully human.  While we have difficulty wrapping our finite minds around how Jesus was fully God and fully man, it, nonetheless, really happened.  The ascension is where Jesus, who has been powerfully raised and glorified by God the Father, returns to Heaven’s throne to rule with all authority.  While Jesus limited Himself on this earth, at the ascension He reclaimed the power, majesty, and authority that He had set aside for the incarnation.

            What an amazing moment it must have been when the apostles had that “aha” realization.  One moment, they were worried that they were alone; the next moment, they were reminded that they were not by themselves.  Jesus had promised that He would be with them and that He would work through them.  They were energized by the realization that their beloved Jesus was running the universe.  I take time to unpack and explain this idea because we all need to live in the light of this truth.  We need to have our lives transformed by the power of this teaching.  How many of us face trial, hardship, and uncertainty?  We all do.  There are times when we are not sure that we have the answers to everything we are called to overcome.  By the way, we don’t have the answers.  We don’t have the power.  Thankfully, this is where the truth and blessing of the ascension come in.  Jesus is still commanding the throne of Heaven.  Jesus still sees everything.  Jesus is still our redeemer, our friend, our brother.  Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, speaking up for us, and showering God’s blessings down on us.  While you don’t have the answer to every question, relax, Jesus has it covered.  When you don’t have the strength to weather that hurricane problem blowing your way, find refuge in knowing God is with you and will protect you.  Where are you right now?  Where have you been for a while?  Are you feeling alone?  You don’t need to be alone.  Jesus wants you to follow Him.  He wants to carry your burdens.  He wants to lead you through the dark, frightening valleys of life.  Keep looking up!