Duncan Christian Reformed Church

The Ascension of Jesus

On the day Jesus left (going back to where he came from: heaven), if we'd been an angel what would we have seen as he entered heaven's gates? We would have seen his appearance change, particularly his face shine, and he would have entered in glorious splendor! Moses and Elijah, who had once spoken with him about his departure, would have been there to welcome him (see Luke 9:29-31). The angels too, would have welcomed him with faces beaming! And his Father, what a day for him to welcome his Son back! We can know more. From very early on the church has seen this psalm as being about this day. “God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of the trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises (Psalm 47:5-6).

So there was much joy in heaven when Jesus left the earth. Why the joy? Because they acknowledged Jesus as King, “The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle” (Ps 24:8). Jesus took on the strongest enemies this world has ever known, and defeated them. He took on Satan, that Liar, Deceiver, Tempter who is the Devil. No one on earth had been able to withstand him; but Jesus was strong and overcame him. He took on sin with all its hatred and bitterness and resentments, all its twists and distortions, and held on to the truth he'd received from the Father; Jesus, mighty in battle defeated sin. He took on death: who on earth is able to defeat such an enemy as death, that result of sin that the whole earth is shrouded with? No one was able, until Jesus. He overcame death because it was not able to keep its hold on him.

What about on earth the day that Jesus left? What do we see happening here?We see the church at worship. “Then (after he left them and was taken up into heaven) the disciples worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52). God's will is being done on earth as it is indeed done in heaven! There was a shout of joy (victory!) in heaven the day Jesus left. There was great joy, coming from the church on that same day, and will be for ever. It was as the angel had said the day Jesus was born: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Lk 2:10). Great joy! Please note that these pious Hebrews are said to be worshipping Jesus. They knew the first commandment: no other gods except the truth and living God. They now knew something of Jesus they hadn't known before. And they had literally seen Jesus being lifted up, exalted. Now in their worship they were doing the same, lifting up the name of Jesus (because he is worthy of our worship), the King who has won a great victory. He is “crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Heb 2:9). Be one of the followers of Jesus and recognize that there is no one greater on earth or in heaven. Worship Him!

Pastor Walt Vanderwerf