THE GREAT COMMISSION & THE ASCENSION OF JESUS

Mark 16:19,20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-14

Introduction:

Nothing in the Life of Jesus was ordinary and mundane. Every moment of His life was dynamic in it's ministry and spirituality. From the most ordinary act (such as eating a meal) to extraordinary events (such as miracles) His life was profound and emotional. Whether throbbing with pathos (as at the grave of Lazarus) or reverberating with intensity (as at the rebuke of Peter) or emoting tender compassion (as at the healing of the infirm woman) or resounding with anger (as at the money changers) the life of Jesus was vital, powerful and effectual.

Not surprising, His ascension, like His birth, crucifixion and resurrection, was compelling, impressive, and omnipotent.

It is interesting that the Holy Spirit did not lead the writers to be more dramatic in the telling of this wonderful event. In fact, less is said about His ascension than any of the other dramatic happenings in His life.

Perhaps, Jesus intended at this point for the emphasis to be upon His commissioning of the disciples and not His ascension. After all, His earthly work was over and the work of the disciples and all believers was just beginning.

THE KEY OF LUKE 24:45

This Scripture is actually one of the most important in all the Bible. Jesus, Sovereignly opened the understanding of the disciples and enabled them to have a comprehension of Truth which had always seemed to escape them during His ministry with them. During His three year association with the disciples they were mostly rather dimwitted and dull in their grasp of spiritual realities.

However, we cannot gloat at this fact. We too are dimwitted and dull about spiritual verities until the Holy Spirit gives revelation to our hearts and minds.

1. The necessity of understanding who Jesus is and the purpose of His coming.

2. The necessity of preaching repentance and remission of sins in His Name.

3. The necessity of the enduement of the Holy Spirit to enable them and us.

When the Lord completed His instructions concerning the Upper Room and the Promise of the Father, He simply lifted off the ground and was enveloped by a cloud which carried Him up into heaven and out of their sight.

What is the most important "element" in Christian witness and evangelism?

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Who are the "witnesses" in present day evangelism?

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What is the message they are to preach?

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By what authority do they speak?

ANSWER:

Unto whom is the message to be given?

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Closing thought …..

The commissioning of the disciples and the ascension of Jesus is not merely to be considered as just another Biblical event. This was in truth the very purpose for Christ's coming. Having paid the supreme sacrifice for sin, resurrecting from the dead to confirm His authority over death, opening the understanding of the disciples concerning the events of His life, He now sends them forth to declare salvation through His Name and guarantees it's effectiveness by the Baptism of power by the Holy Spirit, while He ascends to heaven to oversee the work of His Kingdom.

It is, upon thoughtful consideration, the most magnificent plan !!