How solemnly Christ took leave of His disciples (Luke xxiv.
ASCENSION
1. '(HE PROMISE OF THE ASCENSION
HRIST'S ascension into heaven, in further prosecution of ( His undertaking for us, is presented to Mary in the garden as an unspeakable comfort. Tell the disciples, said Jesus, that I must shortly ascend. That is the next step I am to take.
This was intended to be: (a) A word of caution. The disciples were not to expect the continuance of His bodily presence upon earth. He had no intention of setting up His temporal kingdom among men, which they dreamt of. No, tell them that I am not risen to stay with them, but to go on their errand to heaven. Likewise let them not think that this earth is to be their home and rest. Being born from heaven, they are bound for heaven. Their eye and aim must be upon another world, and this ever upon their hearts: I ascend; therefore must I seek things above.
(6) A word of comfort. This word of comfort was not intended only for the disciples who saw Him ascend but for all who have since believed on His name. He ascended to receive those honours and powers which were to be the recompense of His humiliation. This is our advantage, for He ascended as a conqueror, leading captivity captive for us. He ascended as our forerunner, to prepare a place for us and to be ready to receive us. This message was like that which Joseph's brethren brought to Jacob: Joseph is yet alive; and not only so, he is governor of all the land of Egypt. '"'All power is his."
2. THE FACT OF THE ASCENSION How solemnly Christ took leave of His disciples (Luke xxiv. 52). Since Christ's design was to reconcile heaven and earth, and continue a days-man (umpire) between them, it was necessary that He should lay His hands on them both and be able to pass and repass. He had business to do in both worlds. He was born of the flesh to do His business on earth; He ascended to negotiate our affairs with the Father.
Observe: (a) From whence He ascended. From Bethany, near Jerusalem, adjoining the mount of Olives. There He had done eminent service for His Father's glory, and there He entered upon His glory. There was the garden in which His sufferings began. There He was in His agony. Bethany signifies the "house of sorrow'. Whoever would go to heaven must ascend by way of the house of sufferings and sorrows—must go by agonies to their joys. The mount of Olives had long been chosen for the ascension scene: ''His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives" (Zech. xiv. 4). It was also from this point that but a short time before Jesus began His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Now from this same spot He makes His triumphal entry into the heavenly Jerusalem.
(b) Who were the witnesses of the ascension? He "led out" His disciples to see Him. Probably it was very early in the morning that He ascended, before people were about. He never showed Himself openly to all the people after His resurrection, only to chosen witnesses. The disciples did not see Him rise out of the grave, because His resurrection was capable of being proved by their seeing Him alive afterwards. But they saw Him ascend into heaven, because they could not otherwise have an ocular demonstration of His ascension. They were led out on purpose to see Him ascend; they had their eye upon Him when He ascended and were not looking another way.
(c) What was the farewell He gave them? 'He lifted up his hands, and blessed them." He did not go away in displeasure, but in love. He left a blessing behind Him. He lifted up His hands, as the high priest did when he blessed the people. He blessed as one having authority. He commanded the blessing which He had purchased. He blessed them as Jacob blessed his sons. The Apostles were to the New Israel what the sons of Jacob had been to the Israel of old. In blessing them He blessed all His spiritual Israel, and put His Father's name upon them.
(d) How He left them. While He was "'blessing them he was parted from them'"'. He had said all He had to say. He departs with a blessing which did not end as He passed out of their sight but has continued to be conferred upon His disciples down the ages. He gives them His blessing that they might go and confer it upon the children of men to the ends of the