Ascension: November 12, 2012

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2012.

ASCENSION

DEFINITION:

The bodily ascension of Christ from earth to heaven.

SCRIPTURE:

He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. Ephesians 4:10.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

There are two significant events in the life of Jesus while He was here on this earth that is unique to Him and to Him alone. The first is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The second is Jesus ascension into heaven. There are eye witness accounts that testify to the reality of these two events.

After the resurrection of Jesus He remained on earth for 40 days to give proof that He had risen and that He was still alive. In Mark 16 we are told that three women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome) came to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty. And in Matthew 28 we are told that two women (Mary Magdalene and the mother of James) came to the tomb and in John 20 we read of Mary Magdalene coming to the empty tomb and after talking to the two angels turned around and saw Jesus standing in front of her.

Over the forty days after His resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples many times and also appeared to many others. In I Corinthians 15 Paul tells us, He was seen by over 500 at one time, probably when He went back to Galilee. Yes, we can be assured that Jesus is not in the tomb but He is alive and we serve a risen Savior. During those 40 days Jesus gave many convincing proofs that He was alive (Acts 1:3).  He continued to meet with his disciples to instruct them and reassure them.  He even ate with them. (Acts 1:4)  Jesus was very much alive.

Forty days after the resurrection of Jesus He ascended into heaven. Jesus’ ascension was witnessed by the disciples. In Acts 1:9 it says, “He was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid Him from them.” Jesus ascension into the sky removes any doubt that He was God and that He had come down from heaven.

The scripture above from Ephesians reminds us that He who ascended into heaven is the same One that descended to this earth. This is a portrayal of Jesus being not only our deliverer but now our Mediator. Jesus is in Heaven not only preparing for us as believers a place to spend eternity with Him (John 14:1-6) but He is our Mediator between God and us.

What a day it will also be for us as believers when Jesus comes to take us to be with Him. We too will be resurrected and join our Lord and Savior in the air. Then we will begin our eternity with Him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 6:33.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

PRAYER:

We thank You for Your death, resurrection and ascension back to Your home in Heaven. Thank You for being my mediator between God and me. I thank You that because of Your death, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven, I will be spending eternity with You.