Forty Days
Acts 1:1-5, 8-9 — In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
It has been about forty days that our church has been in virus-exile. Can you believe that tomorrow, April 19th, will mark six consecutive Sundays we have worshipped separately, as we honor the rule to forgo corporate worship?
In our passage, Luke writes about another forty day period in the amazing history of the early Church. He begins, “In my former book (Luke’s gospel) I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven.” He tells us that the period of time between the cross, the resurrection and the ascension was forty days. We really don’t think much about the Ascension. We sort of rush from Easter to Pentecost and skip the Ascension.
However, Jesus repeatedly spoke of His return to the Father, and his final command to them on his day of ascension was to go to Jerusalem and wait for the day of Pentecost. He promised them that the power of the Holy Spirit would come upon them and empower them for mission and ministry. Luke tells us they “sheltered in place” in an upper room and “prayed constantly.” Notice the connection between prayer, mission and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now of course, the cross and the resurrection are at the heart of our message, but the Ascension is the pre-requisite for Pentecost and the pouring out of the Spirit of God for mission and ministry in the life of every Christian. All that is “new” in the New Covenant is tied to the ministry of the Spirit of God who takes the truth of the gospel of grace and makes it real to you and demolishes the unreal things you once believed true. The Greek word for ascension means more than merely going up. Only Jesus Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father where he is exalted and crowned with glory and all authority. He is the King of Glory (Ps 24). All his enemies are now being made His footstool (Ps 110). The Ascension constitutes Christ as the Head of the Church. His power and authority are glorious, everlasting and immeasurable. This means he does not let things happen to his people without his purpose. That is a truth for us to put in our hearts in this time of virus-exile.
How often I am troubled about something that lies ahead, wondering, “What shall I do when the time comes?” Why don’t I bring it at once to the Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns in his glorious session at the right hand of the Father? Why don’t I bring it to Him who stands ready with the next grace for the next thing. Why do I forget his promises: “If you need wisdom, I will give it to you. If you need strength, I am your Shepherd. If you need peace, I’m your comforter”
Corrie Ten Boom was a Christian who understood this truth. She responded to horrible suffering in a concentration camp during WWII with trust. Learning the depth of human helplessness and weakness, she turned to her “strong tower” and he was faithful to his promises. Corrie told us how after getting up in the morning she would stand in her solitary cell and sing in a loud voice so that other prisoners could hear, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus!” What a soul-strengthening picture for us! Where does such power come from?
In John 16:7, Jesus told his grieving disciples, “It is better for you that I go to the Father who sent me because I will send the counselor (Holy Spirit).” This counselor is one who comes alongside and speaks the truth to you about what you really need. Imagine the comfort and peace of going to the greatest counselor in the world who knows you so well and knows exactly what you need. He takes what you know to be true and makes it real to you and destroys the unreal things which haunt you. He is a counselor who does not have office hours and he doesn’t keep you waiting in line.
So thank God for the Ascension and the power of Christ the King of Glory. Thank him also for sending the Spirit into your life.
Prayer of Dedication from Richard Baxter:
With trust and hope, I commit my spirit into the hands of Jesus my glorified Redeemer and Intercessor—and through His work into the hands of God my reconciled Father. You are infinite eternal Spirit, light, life, and love. You are most great and wise and good. You are the God of nature, grace, and glory, of whom and through whom and to whom are all things. You are my absolute owner, ruler, and benefactor; whose I am, and whom I serve, seek, and trust—though imperfectly. To you be glory, forever, amen.