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THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

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THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

19 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” John 20:17

We have been following Christ through his humiliation, from the time that he left the blessed bosom of the Father; and now, as he has finished the whole course of his obedience on earth, and risen again from the dead, we must follow him back again unto heaven, to that bosom of ineffable delight and love which, for our sakes, he so freely left. He did not rise from the dead to live such a low life as this, but a most glorious life, as enthroned King in heaven, upon which state he was now ready to enter, as he tells Mary and bids her tell it to the disciples: “Go, tell my brethren that I ascend to my Father,” etc. In which injunction we have,

1. The persons to whom this message was sent: My “brethren,” so he calls the disciples. A sweet term, and full of love; much like that of Joseph to his brethren, save that there is much more tenderness in it. He reminds them in the same breath of what they had done against him: “I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold;” but Christ says, “Go tell my brethren,” without the least mention of their cowardice or unkindness.

2. The message itself: Tell my brethren, “I ascend to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God.” It is in the present tense, as if he were then ascending, though he did not ascend for some weeks after; but he so expresses it, to show what was the next part of his work which he was to act in heaven for them; and how much his heart was set upon it: “I ascend to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God.” Hence,

Our Lord Jesus Christ not only rose from the dead, but ascended into heaven, there to accomplish all that remained to be done for completing the salvation of his people.

So much the apostle plainly witnesses: He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens.” A full and faithful account of his ascension the several evangelists have given us. This is sometimes called his going away, sometimes his being exalted; sometimes his being made higher than the heavens, and sometimes his entering within the veil. We will here consider the questions, Who ascended? Whence did he ascend? Whither? When? How? Why?

I. Who ascended? This the apostle answers, “The same that descended,” namely Christ. And himself tells us, “I ascend.” And though the ascension were of Christ’s whole person, yet it was a figurative expression with respect to his divine nature, and rather applies to the humanity of Christ, which really changed places and conditions. Hence he said, “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” He goes away and we see him no more. As God, he is spiritually with us still, even to the end of the world. But as man, the heavens must contain him “until the restitution of all things.”

II. Whence did Christ ascend? He is said to ascend from this world, to leave the world; but more particularly, it was from Mount Olivet near Jerusalem, the very place where he began his last sufferings. Oh, what a difference there was between the state of Christ in his agony at the Mount of Olives before his passion, and that now at his ascension! But,

III. Whither did he ascend? It is manifest it was into the third heavens; the throne of God and place of the blessed; where all the saints shall be with him forever. It is said to be “far above all heavens,” that is, above the heavens which we see, for they are but the pavement of that stately palace of the great King. He is gone, saith the apostle, “within the veil,” that is, into the most holy place. Into his Father’s house. And he is also said to go to the “place where he was before,” from whence at his incarnation he came.

IV. When did Christ ascend? Was it as soon as he arose from the dead? No; “after his passion,” he was “seen of them forty days, speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” And truly the care and love of Christ for his people was very manifest in remaining with them. He had ineffable glory prepared for him in heaven and awaiting his coming, but he will not go to possess it till he has settled all things for the good of his church here. For in this time he confirmed the truth of his resurrection, and gave charge to the apostles concerning the discipline and order of his house or kingdom. When he had set all things in order, he would stay no longer. He had a great work to do for us in the other world. He desired to be no longer here than he had work to do for God and souls; a good pattern for the saints.

V. How did Christ ascend into heaven?

1. He ascended as a public person or forerunner, in our names and upon our account. So it is said expressly, Hebrews 6:19, 20, speaking of the most holy place within the veil, “whither the forerunner is for us entered.” His entering into heaven as our forerunner, implies his public capacity, as one that went for our sakes to God. “I go before to prepare a place for you,” to take possession of heaven in your names. The forerunner has respect to others that were to come to heaven after him in their several generations; for whom he has prepared mansions, which are kept for them until their coming. It also implies his precedence: he is our forerunner, but he himself had no forerunner. Never any entered heaven before him but such as entered in his name and through the virtue of his merits. He was the first that ever entered into heaven directly, immediately, in his own name and upon his own account. All the fathers who died before him entered in his name.

2. He ascended triumphantly into heaven. “God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing praises.” A cloud is prepared as a royal chariot to carry up the King of glory to his princely pavilion: “A cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9. And then a royal guard of mighty angels surrounded the chariot for the greater state and solemnity of their Lord’s ascension. And oh, what songs of the blessed angels were heard in heaven! How was the whole city of God moved at his coming! For, as when “he brought his first-begotten into the world, he said, Let all the angels of God worship him,”; so at his return when he had finished the work of redemption, those exalted intelligences gave no less demonstrations of their delight and joy. The very heavens echoed and resounded. Yea, the triumph is not ended, and shall never end.

3. Further, Christ ascended munificently, shedding forth abundantly inestimable gifts upon his church at his ascension. “Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” The place to which the apostle refers is Psalm 68:17, 18, where you have both the triumph and magnificence with which Christ ascended. “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.” These words were a celebration of the triumph of David over the enemies of God, who brought him presents which he dedicated to the Lord. Just so our Lord Jesus Christ, when he had overcome by his death on the cross, and now triumphed in his ascension, receives his enemies as his conquest and gives them, by their conversion to the church, for its use and service; thus he recevied gifts, even for the rebellious, that is, sanctifies the natural gifts and faculties of such as hated his people before, dedicating them to the Lord, in his people’s service. Paul was as fierce an enemy to the church as breathed on earth, till Christ gave him into its bosom by conversion, and then no mere man ever did the Lord and his people greater service. Men of all sorts, greater and smaller lights, have been given to the church. Officers of all sorts were given it by Christ: extraordinary and temporary, as prophets, apostles, evangelists; ordinary and standing, as pastors and teachers, which remain to this day. And those stars are fixed in the church-heaven by a most firm establishment. Thousands now in heaven, and thousands on earth also, are blessing Christ at this day for his ascension gifts.

4. Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended with a blessing on his lips: while he was blessing his people he was parted from them. Therein making good to them what is said by him, “Having loved his own, he loved them unto the end.” John 13:1. There was a great deal of love manifested by Christ in this last act on earth. The last sight they had of him in this world was a most sweet and encouraging one. They heard nothing from his lips but love, they saw nothing in his face but love, till he mounted his triumphant chariot and was taken out of their sight. Surely these blessings at parting were sweet and rich. They were the mercies which his blood had so lately purchased for them. And they were not only intended for them who had the happiness to be with him when he ascended, but they reach us as well as them, and will reach the last saint that shall be upon the earth till he comes again. In blessing them, he blesses us also.

5. He ascended as well as rose again by his own power. He was not merely passive in his ascension, but it was his own act. He went to heaven. Therefore it is said, Acts 1:10, “He went up,” namely, by his own divine power. And this plainly evinces him to be God, for no mere creature ever rose from earth, far above all heavens, as Christ did.

VI. Why did Christ ascend?

1. If Christ had not ascended he could not have interceded in heaven for us. Take away Christ’s intercession and you blight the hope of the saints. For what have we to support us under the daily surprisals of sin but this, that “if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father?” mark that, “with the Father:” a Friend that abides there on purpose to transact all our affairs, and as a surety for peace between God and us.

2. If Christ had not ascended, you could not have entered into heaven; for he went to “prepare a place for you.” He was the first that entered heaven directly, and in his own name; and had he not done so we could not have entered in his name. The forerunner made way for all that should come after him in their several generations. Nor could your bodies have ascended after their resurrection, but in virtue of Christ’s ascension. For he ascended in the capacity of our Head and Representative: to his Father, and our Father; for us, and himself too.

3. If Christ had not ascended, he could not have entered into the glory he now enjoys in heaven. This world is not the place where perfect felicity and glory dwell. And then, how would the promise of the Father been made good to him? Or our glory, which consists in being with and conformed to him, where had it been? “Ought not Christ to suffer, and to enter into his glory?” Luke 24:26.

4. If Christ had not ascended, how could we have been assured that his payment on the cross made full satisfaction to God? How is it that the Spirit convinces the world of righteousness, but from Christ’s going to the Father, and returning no more? which gives evidence of God’s full satisfaction, both with his person and work.

5. Further, how could we have enjoyed the blessings of the Spirit and ordinances, if Christ had not ascended? If Christ had not gone away, “the Comforter had not come,”; he begins where Christ had finished. For he takes of his and shows it to us. And therefore it is said, “The Holy Ghost was not given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” He was then given as a sanctifying spirit, but not given in the measure that afterwards he was, to furnish and qualify men with gifts for service. And indeed, by Christ’s ascension, both his sanctifying and his ministering gifts were shed forth more commonly and more abundantly upon men; so that whatsoever good of conversion, edification, support, or comfort you receive from spiritual ordinances, he has shed forth that which you now see and feel. It is the fruit of Christ’s ascension.

So that, upon all these accounts, it was expedient that he should go away. It was for his glory and for our advantage. Though we lost the comfort of his bodily presence, yet if “we loved him, we should rejoice, because he went to the Father.” We ought to have rejoiced in his advancement, though it had been to our loss; but when it is so much for our benefit, as well as his glory, it is in all respects a ground of joy that he is ascended to his Father, and our Father; to his God, and our God. It was in view of all the blessings flowing to us from his ascension that he charged his people not to be troubled at his leaving them.

Inference 1 — Did Christ ascend into heaven? Is our Jesus, our treasure indeed there? Where then should the hearts of believers be but in heaven, where their Lord, their Life is? Surely it is not good that your love and your Lord should be in two different countries. Christians, you ascended with him virtually when he ascended; you shall ascend to him personally hereafter; Oh that you would ascend to him spiritually, in acts of faith, love, and desires, daily. How good were it if we could say with the apostle, “Our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for the Saviour.” A heart tending upwards is the best evidence of your interest in Christ’s ascension.

2. Did Christ go to heaven as a forerunner? Come, Christians, “lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets you, and run with patience the race set before you, looking unto Jesus.” The Captain of our salvation is entered within the gates of the new Jerusalem, and calls to us out of heaven to hasten to him; proposing the greatest encouragements to them that follow: “He that overcometh shall sit with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” How tedious should it seem to us to live so long at a distance from our Lord!

3. Did Christ ascend so triumphantly, leading captivity captive? How little reason then have believers to fear their conquered enemies! Sin, Satan, and every enemy were in that day led away in triumph, dragged at Christ’s chariot wheels, brought after him as it were in chains. It is a triumphant sight to see the necks of those tyrants under the foot of our Joshua. Their strength is broken forever. In this he showed himself more than a conqueror; for he conquered and triumphed, too. Satan was then trodden under his feet, and he has promised to tread him under our feet also. Some power our enemies yet retain: the serpent may bruise our heel, but Christ has bruised his head.

4. Did Christ ascend so munificently, shedding forth so many mercies upon his people; mercies of inestimable value, reserved on purpose to adorn that day? Oh then see that you abuse not the precious ascension gifts of Christ, but value and improve them as the choicest mercies. Now the ascension gifts are either the ordinances and officers of the church — for he then gave them pastors and teachers — or the Spirit that furnished the church with all its gifts. Beware you abuse not either.

Abuse not the ordinances and officers of Christ. This is a prevailing sin. Surely God has written to us the great things of his law, and we have accounted them small things.

And see that you abuse not the Spirit, whom God sent from heaven at his ascension, to supply his bodily absence among us, and who is the great pledge of his care and tender love of his people. Take heed that you do not vex him by your disobedience, nor grieve him by your unkindnesses, nor quench him by your sinful neglect of duty or abuse of light. Oh cherish the Spirit, and obey his voice; comply with his designs and yield up yourselves to his guidance and conduct. I think to be entreated by the love of the Spirit should be as great an argument as to be entreated for Christ’s sake. Now, to persuade all the saints to be tender of grieving the Spirit by sin, let me urge a few considerations:

He was the first and principal mercy that Christ received for you at his entrance into heaven. It was the first thing he asked of God when he came to heaven. So he speaks, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you.” So that the Spirit is the first-born of mercies, and deserves the first place in our hearts and esteem.

The Spirit comes not in his own name to us — though, if so, he deserves a dear welcome for his own sake, and for the benefits we receive by him, which are inestimable-—but he comes to us in the name and in the love both of the Father and the Son; as one authorized and delegated by them: “When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father,”; and in John 14:26, the Father is said to “send him in Christ’s name.”

Beware of grieving the Spirit on account of his own nature and office.

In his nature he is God; coequal with the Father and Son in nature and dignity: “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me.” He is God, the Eock of Israel: God omnipotent, for he created all things; God omnipresent, filling all things; God omniscient, who knows your heart. Beware therefore of grieving him, for in so doing you grieve God.

Think also of his office and the benefits we receive by him. Gratitude must compel us to obey him; for he is sent in the character of an Advocate to help us to pray; to indite our requests for us; to teach us what and how to ask of God. He comes to us as a Comforter. And none like him. His work is to take of the things of Christ and show them unto us; that is, to take of his death and resurrection, ascension, yet, of his present intercession in heaven, and show it to us. It was he that formed the body of Christ in the womb and so prepared him to be a sacrifice for us. He filled that humanity with his unexampled fullness, thus fitting and anointing him for the discharge of his office. It is he that gives efficacy to the ordinances. It was he that blessed them to your conviction and conversion. Without him you could never have had an interest in Christ, or communion with Christ. It was he that so often has helped your infirmities when you knew not what to say; comforted your heart when it was overwhelmed within you, and you knew not what to do; preserved you many thousand times from sin and ruin when you have been upon their slippery brink. It is he, in his sanctifying work, that is the best evidence your soul has for heaven. And now, reader, do you not blush to think how unworthily you have treated such a friend? Oh, grieve not the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent as soon as he went into heaven in his Father’s name, and in his own name, to perform all these offices for you.

5. Is Christ ascended to the Father as our forerunner? Then the door of salvation stands open to all believers, and by virtue of Christ’s ascension they also shall ascend after him, “far above all heavens.” O my friends, what a place has Christ prepared for you; what a splendid habitation has he provided for you! “God is not ashamed to be called your God; for he hath prepared for you a city.” In that city Christ has provided mansions and resting-places for your everlasting abode, and keeps them for you till your coming. Oh, how august and glorious a dwelling is that, where sun and moon and stars shall roll as much below your feet as they are now above your heads! May God give us a joyful meeting within the veil with our forerunner, and sweeten our passage into it with many a blessed foresight and foretaste. And in the meantime let the love of a Saviour inflame our hearts so that whenever we cast a look towards that place where our forerunner is for us entered, our souls may say, with melting affections, Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ; and again, Blessed be God for his unspeakable gift.

From the Fountain of Life by Rev. John Flavel

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van woensdag 1 mei 1968

The Banner of Truth | 20 Pagina's

THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

Bekijk de hele uitgave van woensdag 1 mei 1968

The Banner of Truth | 20 Pagina's