Jesus’ Ascension, the Promises of Receiving the Holy Spirit and of His Return

“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) [Read Actos 1:1-11]

The Acts of the Apostles is a continuation of Luke’s gospel, written by Luke himself, and recounts the story of Jesus Christ’s work after His ascension, the work He commissioned His disciples to do. Addressed to “Theophilus,” which could have referred to a nobleman, but most likely meant “friend of God,” (the meaning of the two Greek words, “Theo” – God; and “philus” – friend of), a term for all believers everywhere.

Imagine the scene: The disciples were gathered together on a mountain (Matthew gives this mountain as in Galilee [see Matthew 28:16]). Jesus had appeared to them during a forty-day period after His resurrection (Acts 1:3), speaking to them about the Kingdom of God. And now it was time for Jesus to ascend back to the Father, and for the disciples to get on with the work of preaching, teaching, healing and making disciples, as He had commanded them. They were instructed not to leave Jerusalem until they were “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (vv. 4-5). Jesus began to rise, still in His recognizable, resurrected body, and ascended into heaven. A cloud descended and enveloped Him (v. 9). This cloud was not an ordinary rain cloud but the manifestation of God’s power, presence and glory. The disciples were so amazed at the scene unfolding before them that they had to be reminded by two men in white robes (angels—v. 10-11) that Jesus would eventually return to earth as they had seen Him go into heaven (in glory and in recognizable form, scholars believe). “The amazing miracle of the incarnation is not only that the eternal Son of God took human nature on Himself and became a person who is simultaneously God and man, but also that He will remain both fully God and fully man forever.” (Dr. John B. Pholhil, professor, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in study note, ESV Study Bible, p. 2081).

Before Jesus’ kingdom could come to earth, the disciples had a job to do. They were told to go to Jerusalem and await the fulfillment of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them in power. Thus imbued with power, they would be able to spread the gospel from where they were in Jerusalem even unto the ends of the earth. That promise of the Holy Spirit’s coming was fulfilled shortly after Jesus’ ascension. And here Luke gives an outline of the Book of Acts which he addressed to “Theophilus” (I like to think friend(s) of God—disciples). Acts tells how the gospel spread first in Jerusalem, then to all Judea, to Samaria, and “to the end of the earth,” thus coming to us, thousands of years later.

An amazing thought is that the great commission given by Jesus from that mountain just prior to His ascension into heaven is still for disciples today. The gospel came to us on its way to someone else. And we, too, are to remain faithful in sharing the good news with others. Pray that God will impel us forth to tell of His love for all peoples, even to those where we are and to whom we can witness. -Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.30.2017

Post-Resurrection Appearance of Jesus to His Disciples at the Sea of Galilee

“He saith unto him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?’ Peter was grieved because He had said unto him the third time, ‘Lovest thou me?’ and he said unto Him, ‘Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love Thee.’ Jesus said unto Peter, ‘Feed my sheep’: -John 21:17 KJV

It was early morning. The location was the sea of Tiberias (KJV) also known as the Sea of Galilee. Peter and some of the other disciples had gone fishing in the night, the occupation Peter and other disciples had left about three years before to follow the itinerant preacher, teacher, healer named Jesus on his travels and ministries. Jesus had taught them much they needed to know to be His successors when He finished His human/divine mission on earth, the giving of His life as a ransom for all who will believe in Him. But under great duress, when Jesus was on trial before His crucifixion, Peter had denied Christ three times. Christ had said that Peter would deny him, but Peter had declared his undying devotion to the Lord. Little could Peter see how easily the temptations beset a human being under great duress and fear of also being arrested. And now, Peter who has already seen the resurrected Christ, is about to be questioned three times by the Lord at a place they frequented when Jesus was teaching the disciples. It was perhaps near this location, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus had given what we term “The Sermon on the Mount” early in His ministry. Peter and the other fishermen had no success with fishing. Jesus, from shore, whom they did not recognize at the time, told them to cast their nets “on the other side” of the boat.” That time, they got such a catch – 153 fine fish by count - that they could hardly pull in the heavy net. Coming to shore, they found a fire going , fish and bread cooked, and they recognized the Risen Christ, who had prepared their breakfast. A little later in this encounter comes Christ’s asking Peter three times: “Lovest thou me?” And Jesus’s direction: “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep.” By the third time, Peter, the impetuous disciple, had become a little impatient with being asked three times by Jesus, “Peter, do you love me?” and the third time, Peter said: Lord You know all things! You know that I love You!” could the question, posed three times by the risen Lord, have been a reminder to the leader among the disciples that He had denied Jesus three times? Scholars believe the triple asking response might have served as a reminder to Peter that He had, indeed, betrayed His Lord by the denial. But here is the forgiving, loving Lord, bringing Peter back to the major task for which he was called from the fishing nets three years before: To follow Jesus and to lead others to the Lord: “Feed my sheep” was a reminder that the Lord forgave Peter and had a major mission for him in the early church.

The early-morning encounter had a lasting impression on Peter. We have but to read the first several chapters in the Acts of the Apostles to know that Peter became the leader of the early church movement and the spread of the gospel. On the day of Pentecost, his powerful sermon resulted in over 5,000 converts to the Christian faith. Peter, so tradition holds, was also crucified for his strong faith, and he asked that he be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to be crucified as the Lord Christ was, in an upright position. “Feed my lambs! Feed my sheep!” Give persons the truth of the Word and the Holy Spirit is faithful to do the convicting and calling of persons into the fold of God. This pattern started with Peter one early morning by the Sea of Tiberias just prior to the Risen Lord’s ascension into Heaven. The same call goes to us today who teach and tell the Good News: “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep.” Peter, forgiven for denying Christ, was faithful. Many have been faithful through the ages since. Now it is up to present-day believers to continue Christ’s command to Peter. May we be faithful, for faithful disciples are needed sorely today. – Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.23.2017

He Is Risen!

“And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed.  You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.  See the place where they laid him.’ ” -Mark 16:6 (ESV

The best news possible awaited those who visited Jesus’ tomb on the first day of the week after the Sabbath was past.  Each of the four gospels has a slightly different account of the resurrection.  But each rings with the joy of Jesus’ power over death and the grave and the hope His resurrection holds for all believers.

Jesus who was so cruelly crucified on Friday and laid quickly in the new tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea was not in the tomb when the women and some of the disciples went to the tomb early in the morning of the first day of the new week.  Jesus had told them He would rise on the third day following His death.  But they were all surprised when they found the tomb empty.

One of the central truths of the Christian faith is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  He has power over death and lives forevermore at the right hand of God.  To us who follow Him, His own resurrection is promise to us that we, too, will experience life eternal after death.

His appearances to disciples following His resurrection and His commission to them as He was ready to ascend into Heaven helped them and us to know that He left us with very good news to tell and a mission to accomplish.  That commission in Matthew 28:18-20 was for His disciples then and for us now:  “All authority in heaven and in earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Early Christians and many in this present age greet each other with “He is risen!” and respond with “He is risen, indeed!”  Charles Wesley penned the joyous message in these words of a beloved Easter hymn:

“Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply:  Alleluia!”

Sing it, tell it, live it:  He is risen, indeed!  -Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.16.2017

Palm Sunday Joy Extends to Present-day Celebrations

“And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, ‘Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowd said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.’ “ -Matthew 21:9-11 (ESV)

In our church year we celebrate what we call “Palm Sunday,” or “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.” When this event happened in the life of Jesus, the beginning of the last week before His death and resurrection, a great procession took place. Jesus arranged the ride into Jerusalem on a colt, the foal of a donkey, on which no rider had sat before. We know the story well. The crowds spread their coats in His pathway and many cut palm branches to spread on the way and to wave. The cry ‘Hosanna!’ was lifted, given with great expectation and gladness.

Many speculated as to whom this person was who rode into the holy city of Jerusalem on a donkey. “He is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth,” many said. The moment of glory drew attention to Jesus. Many had followed Him about before; during this last week of His earthly life, people still gathered to hear His words and to contemplate when the Messiah would establish His earthly kingdom. They wanted Him to be the conquering Messiah, the one who would free them from Roman oppression. The lowly donkey on which He rode should have been a clue of His servitude and humility. A conquering hero, a ruler, would have ridden in on a stately horse to indicate his kingship. Jesus rode into the Holy City humbly.

God’s plan was bigger, including all races, all peoples. The prophet Isaiah and others had foretold that the Messiah would give Himself as a ransom for the people’s sins. (See Isaiah 53 4-8) Those who wanted a different kind of kingdom than a spiritual one and salvation would soon cry out, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” Jesus came to earth to die. His was the holy, unblemished sacrificial death for the sins of the people. “By His stripes we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

Now as we observe Palm Sunday, we know the full account and the real reason for His coming to earth and His sacrificial death. We know that He is indeed Messiah, Savior, not just “a Prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” On Palm Sunday we sometimes have a processional into our church sanctuary, wave palm fronds, and say, “Hosanna in the highest!” Today it is a cry heard universally wherever the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed and accepted.

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is remembered and reenacted to remind us that Jesus the Christ finished the mission God sent Him to earth to do. He is indeed our Savior and Lord. He is Redeemer and King of kings. The time will come “when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord!” (Romans 14:11, quoting Isaiah 45:23). That will be THE Palm Sunday when we

May we draw near to Jesus, give Him our allegiance and exclaim with joy and assurance: “Jesus is Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Amen. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.09.2017

God Searches our Innermost Thoughts

“The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.” -Proverbs 20:27 (ESV)

I’m sure you, as I, have experienced deep thoughts and you wonder how they came into your mind. The wise writer of Proverbs had an answer. He said this in-depth searching of one’s mind is the Lord touching our spirit, seeking to get our attention.

Eugene Peterson in his The Message Bible gives Proverbs 20:27 thus: “God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.” I wrote this poem sometime back in a quiet, reflective moment. It seems to bear out the truth of Proverbs 20:27:

By Violet Light

Objects reflect a certain sheen by violet light.

At dawn, when all is quiet and I’m alone

I feel and see

A special kind of bright.

The woods are filling now with spring’s release.

Tender leaves with gentle green mix with the brown.

This cycle of nature nurtures peace

And blends with other refuse fallen down.

We oft’ lament the season’s fleeting stay

And want to hold its beauty longer still.

Yet know we well that passing time brings rebirth, growth—

Each with its special place to find and fill.

The message whispered by the tender leaves

Resonates with beauty.

If spirit grieves, we must reconnect

And remember, move on—to duty.

On toward evening the violet lingers

Spreading across the broad horizon.

Through faith’s firm fingers

I am caressed by violet light

And lifted by the gentle, peaceful sight.

Indeed, “God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.” (Proverbs 20:27. Peterson). May today be a deep-thought day as we seek God in our worship and in our surrender to His will. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.02.2017