The Cloud of Ascension

And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.  Luke 24:50-53 (ESV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  Acts 1:8-11 (ESV)

          The disciples looked up as a cloud lifted Jesus into heaven. Astonished? Dazed? The captivated audience gazed on. What a splendid sight, and yet their Friend was gone. Now what?          

          Yes, Scripture reveals Jesus departed earth in a cloud, the cloud of God’s glory. Probably a moment of remarkable splendor, Jesus ascended into heaven where He was confirmed the King of Kings and our great High Priest who intercedes for us. Returning to heaven in all His glory signified Jesus’ authority over the universe. 

          Left behind, did the disciples feel the pain of separation? Three years with a constant companion builds a powerful relationship. Were they feeling abandoned or hopeful? 

          Luke, the writer of the books of Luke and Acts, chronicled Jesus’ ascension. As Jesus was carried away on a candescent cloud, the disciples watched and worshiped. Then two supernatural messengers jolted them back to reality, declaring He would return the same way He left. Holding onto this promise, the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy! 

          With great joy? Really? I’ve experienced the pain of separation, and it hurts. My family and I have moved several times, leaving behind cherished friends. Instead of being joyful, I cried many tears. And yet during two different moves, a friend from each region encouraged me with the same song, written by Michael W. Smith. It’s a song of hope stating “Friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them.” The assurance from this song helped me realize the friendship we shared with God and each other. It allowed me to experience joy and put my trust in God’s plan for our lives. 

          Witnessing Jesus’ miracles and listening to His teachings increased the faith of the disciples. But the trauma of His crucifixion, death, and burial raised doubt until His resurrection. During the following weeks, Jesus appeared again and again to His disciples, reassuring them of His faithful presence. 

          After the ascension, Jesus’ disciples faithfully waited in Jerusalem for Holy Spirit power from God. Were they recalling words Jesus had spoken while on earth? Several times before His crucifixion He had talked about sending a  Helper. Maybe, in the waiting, they remembered Jesus’ promises.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”  John 14:26 (ESV)

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”  John 15:26-27 (ESV)

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”  John 16:7 (ESV)

“John baptized you with water,” he reminded them, “but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit in just a few days.”  Acts 1:5 (TLB)

          So the disciples waited and as promised, it happened at Pentecost (Acts 2). They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Crowds gathered. Peter preached about Jesus and His teachings, His death, resurrection, ascension, and Holy Spirit power. Three thousand people were saved that day. Witnesses experienced a mighty God who does what He says He will do.

          Have you ever waited for God’s promises to be fulfilled? If you’re not clinging to the Word of God, doubt will attack your joy and certainty. Relying on the Helper through the words of Jesus Christ confirms God’s faithfulness and gives hope.

          Remember—Jesus left earth on a cloud and will return the same way. So, like the disciples, look up and gaze into heaven. As Psalm 19 states, “the heavens declare the glory of God.” 

          When you look up, notice those clouds that represented God’s presence throughout Biblical history. See His glory and feel His presence. Put your trust in Him and know He is faithful to fulfill His promises. 

Communion of Saints

JJ

We left our seats and gathered in the center aisle. One by one, with piety and purpose, we moved forward to the communion table, ladened with sins and burdens, visible only to God. Would Jesus’ message, spoken to us through the words of the pastor, remain in our hearts and minds, not only on Sunday, but for the rest of the week?

With repentance and bold humility, God’s sinful people seek His forgiveness and reconciliation through the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s beloved and righteous Son. The exchange happened at the cross as Jesus Christ took upon Himself our unrighteousness while offering us His righteousness. The same substitution occurs today when we repent and confess our sins to God through Jesus who lavishes us with loving forgiveness and gracious mercy. Oh the grace—God’s riches at Christ’s expense—of God that frees us from our personal prisons of transgressions. 

I approached the table, offering my sinful self to my Savior. The server gave me a piece of bread saying, “The body of Christ broken for you.” With my right hand I grasped the bread and placed my cupped left hand underneath. As I dipped the bread in the cup of wine, a second server’s words “the blood of Christ shed for you” pierced my ears. When I placed that bread, now Christ’s body, in my mouth, some of the wine, now Christ’s blood, splattered into the palm of my hand. 

The spatter onto my hand ignited a burning within my soul. It’s as if I stood under the cross with Jesus impaled upon it while His blood dripped onto me. I consumed His blood soaked body, carried the wine droplet back to my seat, and sat down. While rubbing my hands together and wiping away the wine, an abrupt thought entered my mind. I have blood on my hands and yet, I know Jesus loves me.

Jesus loves me, even though my sins crucified Him. He stood in my place, carrying the weight of my wretched sin and shame to the cross. He hears my confession and says, “Daughter, you are forgiven. My righteousness covers you with mercy.” 

I am humbled by one drop of blood and stand in awe of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. He chose me to be His child, not because of my goodness, but because of His mercy. 

Blanketed by His righteous and merciful grace, Jesus’ sacrifice covers my sin and yours as well. When we repent and believe in Jesus, we are saved. God sees us through Jesus’ righteousness. And Holy Spirit enables me to please God through obedience to His Living Word, Jesus Christ. 

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 (TLB)

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your love that established peace through the blood of the cross of your own Son, Jesus. What an offering of sacrificial devotion! I am forgiven and free. Uphold me, Lord God, with your righteous right hand forever. In the mighty name of Jesus, AMEN. 

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.         Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)                                              

                                                                                   S.D.G.

*JJ Jesu Juva (Jesus help) and S.D.G. Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be Glory) — Johann Sebastian Bach wrote these letters on his pages before he began and when he ended composing his music. He gave God the glory after pleading for his help.

Within a Cloud

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere….

After saying this, Jesus was taken up into a cloud while they were watching….suddenly two white-robed men stood among them, and said, “Why are you staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”   Acts 1:8-11 (based on NLT)

          Jesus disappeared into a cloud while His disciples stared skyward. Did they lose hope? Had they paid close attention to Jesus’ departing words and the words of the two white-robed men about His departure and return? 

          The disciples had suffered Jesus’ absence following His horrible death on a cross. After a miraculous resurrection, their friend returned to them and comforted them with His presence. But after several weeks, they watched Him leave again. Imagine the emotional roller coaster. 

          And yet, Jesus hadn’t deserted them. He had decreed Holy Spirit power to come upon them and two messengers declared He would reappear just as He had disappeared. Even though eyesight told a different story, did Jesus’ followers believe the messengers?

          Sight plays a huge part in my emotions. If life’s circumstances suggest all is well, I’m content. But if trouble arises around me, anxiety engulfs me. I forget about the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father. I forget about Immanuel—God with me. I forget about the Helper (Holy Spirit) that God sent in Jesus’ name. All I see is cloud cover. 

          The disciples saw a cloud conceal Jesus. Were they discouraged by His departure or encouraged by His words of revelation? Did the promise of Jesus' return on a cloud flood them with hope?

          Scripture tells us the disciples returned to Jerusalem, gathered together in the upstairs room of a house, and constantly prayed in unity. Eventually 120 believers assembled and Peter lead the charge to replace Judas, who had betrayed Jesus and committed suicide (Matthew 27:1-5). Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven (Acts 1:13-26). 

          Then it happened just as Jesus had foretold His disciples. A mighty roar from heaven, flames of fire, and different languages—signs of the Holy Spirit’s arrival—filled the room as well as the believers (Acts 2). Mighty acts of God through His apostles began to take place. Jesus’ presence, through the Holy Spirit, abided in them. 

          These apostles, eagerly awaiting His return, served Jesus until their deaths. A cloud may have concealed their Savior, but the revelation of His power revealed His spiritual presence. Even though present day believers have never seen Jesus, it works the same for us. We may focus on cloudy situations separating us from God, but if we study His Word and pray, His presence will be revealed to us. 

          Where’s your focus when troubles besiege you? Are you filled with anxiety or comfort? It all depends on your center of attention. 

          If you’re staring at cloudy days as if Jesus is absent, doubts will assail you. But if you are gazing at the clouds in hope of His return, your faith will increase. Jesus left for heaven on a cloud, but He’s also returning to earth on a cloud. 

          Oh the beauty of a cloudless day. But what enhanced loveliness those clouds display when the sun shines through them. Allow God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to shine through your cloudy days. Talk daily to Him in prayer. And soon, like a mighty wind, His presence will descend upon you in power.

…for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—  2 Corinthians 5:7 (AMP)

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.  Psalm 94:19 (NLT)