Last week many congregations around the world commemorated the Ascension of Jesus. I thought it would be helpful to take a look at this somewhat overlooked event and text from Acts 1:1-11.
1. Who is the enemy?
This is an interesting text to find an enemy. One the one hand there is the grief of losing Jesus’ physical presence, but He is remains alive, so death doesn’t feel like the enemy. There is the possibility that the disciples are presumptuous with their question of when Jesus is going to restore the kingdom to Israel in verse 6, so perhaps one could look at the sin of seeking the hidden things of God. But as we will see in the next question, the Gospel, the good news of this section is all about God’s presence.
So I think the enemy here is Satan, though it’s obviously subtle. Jesus has been physically present with His followers for a few years now, physically present on earth for a few decades. His ascension means He will still be present as He promised, but it won’t be the same. Satan lurks, waiting to attempt to take advantage of this group in various ways, to stomp out this movement of Jesus’ followers, to remove all witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. Satan is hard at work in the book of Acts.
2. How is this enemy defeated?
Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will descend upon the disciples, that they will be baptized with/in the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises that they will receive power when this happens, power to be witnesses of His resurrection from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. God’s presence conquers Satan’s lurking presence.
There is also the promise the angels make that Jesus will return in the same way He left. The physical absence of Jesus will not last forever. He will return and restore the kingdom fully and totally.
3. Whose point of view am I taking?
The disciples seem to be the logical point of view to take in this passage. We identify with their feelings of wonder and perhaps a tinge of joyful grief as Jesus ascends.
The angels are also present here, and perhaps we could take their point of view, as sort of viewing the scene from the outside and asking the disciples why they keep on staring into the heavens. But there is not much there.
And of course Jesus’ point of view is possible, but quite unlikely here as none of us have ever ascended into heaven.
4. Who are You, Lord?
This is an interesting question as all three persons of the Trinity are present here. The Father promises to send the Holy Spirit. So the Father is sender and promise maker/keeper. The Holy Spirit’s arrival is imminent. Jesus calls the Spirit power and an empowerer. The disciples will also be baptized in/with the Holy Spirit, so the Spirit is a washer, a flood. And Jesus too is a promise maker/keeper. Jesus calms the disciples concerns and confusion. Also, Jesus is risen from the dead and the disciples will witness and testify to His resurrection. Jesus is the Word of testimony.
And of course, Jesus is ascended. He is taken up into the heavens. There He is enthroned as King of Kings and reigns and rules until His promised return.
I think I’d focus on the promised presence aspect here, even in the midst of absence, God is present.
Thanks for reading!
Be Curious. Ask Questions.