Luke 24:49-52; Acts 1:1-12

One interesting thing about these passages is that they are written by the same human author, Dr. Luke.  One is more detailed than the other.  Perhaps this can help us to understand all the gospels as they give us varying versions of the same events.  The authors, led by the Holy Spirit, emphasize certain aspects of the stories, yet without contradiction.  Their emphasis fits the divine purpose.

Why did Luke give more detail about the ascension in Acts than in his Gospel?  In the Gospel the ascension is the end of the story; in Acts it is the beginning of the story.  Notice the three important topics of conversation.  First He repeated the promise of the Spirit that had been given by John the Baptist (Luke 3:16).  It was now time for this promise to be fulfilled.  Jesus had told them that there would be tremendous advantages for Him to leave because then He would send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7).  The Spirit would have a ministry to and through each of them to the entire world.  The story of Jesus would finally break out of the tiny area of Galilee in Israel and go to the entire world.  Jesus left them 10 days before the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).  That is why they needed to wait in Jerusalem.  They had no Helper (Greek parakletos used of Jesus and the Spirit; 1 John 2:1; John 14:16).

Second, Jesus taught them, not that there would be no earthly kingdom, but that it would happen at a time known only to God.  There is a deception common among many believers that Israel is no longer in God’s future plan.  This “replacement theology” teaches that the Church is the recipient of the promises God made to Israel.  Clearly Jesus’ answer is that the kingdom will be restored to Israel, but not at this time.

And third, the angel promised that Jesus would return as He had left.  From the moment Jesus first told His disciples He was leaving (John 13:33) He promised to return for them and to take them to a place He would prepare where they could forever be together (John 14:1-3).  This is our hope.  

But there is another magnificent truth in this event.  The ascension takes Jesus to His critical place of ministry as our High Priest.  Having identified fully with mankind, and having suffered for us, He now does what the High Priest was known for: making intercession for the people (Rom. 8:34).  He helps us in our troubles (Heb. 2:17-18).  We go to Him for grace and mercy in our time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).  Having been raised to the place above all power (Eph. 1:21) nothing can hinder this ministry.  Whatever we ask in Jesus name the Father will provide that we might do His work (John 14:12-14).

Be encouraged today by the ascension of Christ.  Because Jesus is ascended the Spirit has come to fill us that we might walk with and serve Christ.  Because Jesus is ascended He ever lives to make intercession for us.  Praise His Name! And live out of the generous riches He has provided.