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Three Treats for the Feast of Ascension

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Forty days after Easter brings us to the Feast of Ascension. Which means that people all over the world are today celebrating the ascension of Jesus into heaven.

I’ve been thinking about the post-Easter period because I’ve recently added several hundred verses to the Grace Commentary, many of them having to do with the story of Christ’s crucifixion. This means I spent the better part of two weeks immersed in one of the Bible’s best known stories.

I learned so much! I discovered many gems that are now on display in the commentary. Let me share three of them with you here.

How Jesus hijacked the chief priests’ plan

One thing that stood out was how the chief priests planned to kill Jesus, but God changed their plan. I’m not talking about their plan to crucify Jesus. I’m talking about their plan to crucify Jesus without anyone knowing about it.

The chief priests and the elders of the people … plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.” (Matt. 26:3-5)

The festival was the combined Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread which ran for a week. From the perspective of the chief priests, this was the worst possible time to kill Jesus, because Jerusalem would have been packed with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

But from God’s perspective, Passover was the perfect time for the crucifixion. Why? Because the city was full of potential eye-witnesses who could take the Gospel all over the world.

You probably know how Jesus was killed immediately prior to the festival, on the day we now call Good Friday. But what you may not appreciate, is how Jesus made it happen. He basically picked the day of his death to maximize the impact.

“I thought Judas made it happen.”

Not really. The more I studied Judas’s involvement in the story, the more I came away thinking he wasn’t a smart guy, and that if everything had been left to him, the crucifixion might never have taken place.

Yes, Judas went to the chief priests offering his services as an informant, and yes, the chief priests were pleased to recruit him. But look carefully at the terms of their agreement:

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray him at an opportune time. (Mark 14:10-11)

Note the phrase “at an opportune time.” For the chief priests, an opportune time meant “not during the Passover Festival.” So Judas was instructed not to betray Jesus at Passover, but then he did it anyway.

Because Jesus told him too.

Let’s set the scene. Jesus and the disciples are enjoying the Last Supper when Jesus says, “One of you will betray me.” He means Judas of course, but Judas plays dumb. He doesn’t get up and leave. He just sits there, enjoying his lamb and hummus, while the disciples start freaking out.

“Surely not, Lord. Who is going to betray you?”

Jesus replies, “It’s the one who dips his hand in the bowl with me,” and then Jesus pins Judas’s hand in the olive bowl.

Gotcha. You can’t hide now, Judas. Go do that wicked thing you planned.

But still Judas doesn’t leave. He just sits there like a deer caught in the headlights.

So Jesus gives him a third nudge. “What you do, do quickly” (John 13:27). In other words, “Go now, Judas!” Then Judas finally leaves, and everything is set in motion.

Within 24 hours Jesus is in the tomb and a short time later he’s out of the tomb, and all this happens when Jerusalem’s population is swollen with potential evangelists such as the 500 people who saw the risen Lord (1 Cor. 15:6). Those 500 witnesses each told two people who told two people and so on all the way down to you.

Do you see?

If everything had gone according to the chief priests’ plan, you might not have heard how Jesus died and rose again, but everything went according to God’s plan and you have. You are the living proof that God’s plan was genius. What the chief priests meant for evil, he turned around for good.

That’s just one of the Easter gems I discovered. Here’s another.

The mockery that became a prophecy

He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. (Matthew 27:42)

The chief priests mocked Jesus at the cross. “You come down, then we’ll believe in you.” It was a jest but a prophetic one, because Jesus did come down and many priests did believe him (Acts 6:7).

Isn’t that wonderful?

I love the way God turns things around. God could have revealed himself using angels with trumpets, but he used the wicked words and schemes of wicked men. Truly, he is the Great Redeemer. Okay, last gem.

His blood on our heads

Perhaps the best example of God’s redemptive superpowers came from the angry crowd:

And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” (Matt. 27:25)

What a terrible thing to say. Yet even these hateful words were redeemed because Jesus’ blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins, including the sins of those who wanted to kill him. May his redeeming blood be on all our heads, because nothing else can save us.

For the disciples, Easter was the worst of times, but the weeks that followed were the best of times. The same men who saw Jesus nailed to a cross, saw him ascend to heaven in glory.

That’s a timely word for us. We’re in the middle of a pandemic, and you may have lost your job, your loved ones, and your health. Take heart and remember the message of Easter. No matter how bad things are, Jesus always has the last word.

And thank God he does.

—

The Grace Commentary is a great place to find answers to common questions, like these:

1. If God loves the whole world, why does he hate Esau?
2. What is predestination?
3. What did Jesus mean when he said, “Hold fast, so that no one will take your crown?”
4. Why did Jesus and the disciples celebrate Passover at the Last Supper, while the chief priests waited until the next day?
5. What is the “one baptism”?
6. How do we confess our sins?
7. Why does Paul say “doers of the law will be justified”?
8. Who is a pillar in the church?
9. Why did Jesus say, “See you in Galilee?”
10. What is the hour of testing coming on the whole world?

Christ In You,The Hope Of Glory

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I have good news Jesus Is Alive! I have more good news For those who believe in Him Jesus Is Alive In You! Jesus is the perfect everything you will […]

Christ In You,The Hope Of Glory

by

I have good news Jesus Is Alive! I have more good news For those who believe in Him Jesus Is Alive In You! Jesus is the perfect everything you will […]

Good Friday Timeline

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You probably know that Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. What you may not know was that Good Friday was one of the busiest days in Jesus’s life. As far as I can tell, no other day in the Bible receives more attention. To help you appreciate this, I drafted a timeline of the key events of the first Good Friday. There was a little bit of guesswork involved in this, but you can check my timeline against the scriptures. Some points to note before we start: Good Friday was the preparation day that precedes the Sabbath, and the Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday (Luke 23:54). Jesus was crucified the day before the Sabbath (on Friday morning; the first day) and raised after the day after Sabbath (Luke 24:1) either late on Saturday night or early Sunday morning (the third day; see Luke 24:46). A Jewish day is twelve hours long (John 11:9). So when the gospel writers refer to the third hour or the sixth hour of the day, they mean the third or sixth hour after sunrise. Since people in biblical times didn’t wear watches, it is more accurate to interpret “the third hour” as mid-morning rather [...]

Dankar the Donkey: A Children’s Story for All

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It was cold on that winter night. Fires were lit in every fireplace. Children huddled together sharing warm blankets. Moms and dads sat close to their fires sipping hot soup.

There were no warm fires in the barn, but the animal world could manage. Genie had been hoping that her baby donkey would be born on a milder night, but as she lay in the straw, she knew this would be Dankar's birthday. She and donkey-father, Jack, had chosen this name for no special reason other than they liked the way it sounded. "Dankar" rolled off the lips easily.

Just before midnight, Dankar was born. He shivered in the cold barn but snuggled close to his mother for warmth and nourishing milk. Jack stood close by, nervously nibbling on some tasteless straw left in the feeding trough.

No one could imagine what lay in store for Dankar. Though his name would never be known outside the animal world, he would become a player in the greatest drama in the whole world. His story will be told as long as there are people to tell stories.

‘Why Me?’

As he grew up, he had a few friends close to his age. They sometimes talked about the lowly status of donkeys. They noticed that horses and camels often wore beautiful saddles and ornaments. People could be heard boasting about the speed and endurance of their horses and camels. Donkeys were useful, but seldom celebrated. There was nothing Dankar and his friends could do about being a donkey. No use wishing they were horses or camels. No benefit to wondering, "Why me?"

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Dankar was a strong but regular colt. No one had yet chosen him to ride. He was learning how to be led by a rope at the hand of his owner and to follow his commands. He spent lots of time tied to a wooden rail just outside his owner's house.

One day some nervous-looking men slipped up from behind and untied him. As they began to lead him away, he heard his owner, "Why are you taking my young donkey?" They said that the master needed him. Surprisingly, his owner agreed.

Dankar was nervous too! Soon it became clear that he was expected to carry a man on his back in some kind of parade. He had never done that before. Would he be able to hold up? Would he stumble? Would the rider beat him if he didn't walk smoothly? Why not get a more experienced donkey? Why not a horse or a camel? Why me?

Dankar Couldn’t Have Known

There was no way Dankar could have known that hundreds of years before, ancient prophets had told of this day and promised that the greatest person who ever lived would ride a donkey into the city of Jerusalem. This person was and is the king over all nations of the earth and his kingdom is marked by the humility of the donkey. This king would love the unqualified, stumbling, weak, and less noble people of the world. They would be the ones who shared in his parade...forever.

But Dankar didn't know about prophets and stuff. He did not know that the one on his back would in a few days be nailed to a cross and three days arise from the dead. How would he know that the greatest day in history was just a few hours away? For the moment He was in a big parade with palm branches under his feet. People were cheering their hearts out. No horse or camel had ever been in this kind of celebration. He loved it! It was so exciting that he forgot about his fears and questions and just enjoyed the walk.

He knew that they were not cheering him, but the one who was riding on his back. But he loved being a part. He didn't want the parade to end. It was so much fun. He had never dreamed of being a part of such a grand day. Later he was taken back to his owner. He couldn't wait to tell his friends. They would never believe him, but it was true and he knew it. Often he would muse about being a part of the grandest parade in all history and wonder: Why me?

 

Writer’s Note: Interpreting and Applying This Story

I wrote this story of Dankar for Palm Sunday. We read it for the four grandsons, ages 10-3 during family church. It was interesting what part they picked out as significant to each of them. The good thing about a story is that each person can see something that speaks to them. When they asked me what stood out, I admitted that I have often felt that I was insignificant in the grand scheme of things and sometimes confounded that God would want to include me in his parade. I think a lot of people can identify with that.

I'd like to encourage you to believe that God delights in you and enjoys being with you. He sees all; He is not ashamed of you, and He loves to see you smile.

I'd like to encourage you to believe that God delights in you and enjoys being with you. He sees all; He is not ashamed of you, and He loves to see you smile. You are in the parade. You are valuable and your story is not only interesting, but powerful. Jesus has chosen to put his weight on you. You are carrying him to all parts of the world and when the world really sees him, they will cheer -- and you will smile. You will know deep in your heart the cheers are for Him, and He deserves all the praise and glory. Some day "every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is the Lord of lords and King of kings."

 

Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream. He is the founder and President of Kerygma Ventures, a sought-after speaker, an engaging preacher, an effective consultant, and a trusted spiritual father. Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works, Incense & Thunder, Glad to be Left Behind, Men In Their Own Skin, Orphans No More, When Hard Times Come, Follow Me and his latest, a children's book laced with gospel truth: Shorty the Substitute Ram.

The post Dankar the Donkey: A Children’s Story for All appeared first on The Stream.

Beyond Resurrection

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Hand of Christ

Resurrection Sunday is by far the most dynamic day of the year for the Christian. All the hopes of humanity are fulfilled in the power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is so much more than a doctrine. The resurrection declares that a new creation has begun within the old creation, and the possibilities of transformation are mind-boggling.

If (since) Jesus is really raised from the dead, and we are given his life (the eternal kind of life), then we know we shall forever live with him. But there is more. We share the power that raised Jesus from the dead. The ramifications of that are limitless.

His Power for Those Who Believe

The apostle Paul prayed “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints. And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:18-20 NRSV)

 
 
 
 
 

The same power that raised Jesus is in us who believe. It enables us to say "no" to the lures of sin, to forgive the offender, to love the undeserving, to lay our lives down promoting God's great redemption, to rejoice always, to believe against great odds, to walk on with hope when darkness seems to prevail, to sing through tears, to stand alone for the gospel, and to bless those who curse us.

It is truly supernatural. But we must acknowledge that the resurrection introduced a new kind of creation to the world. Those who share the resurrected life of Jesus are characterized by transformation. Their stories reveal drastic change.

Without shame, they own their desperation while embracing his gracious intervention. They know that they cannot live by the powers of their own personality. They need the "other worldly" power they receive from him. They expect that power to enable them to express an "other worldly" kind of love that never fails, though it is often working behind the scenes.

They also expect the Father to answer their prayers according to that same power. They are not praying to simply relieve stress. It is not self-talk. They are aware that they are partners with God in getting his purpose done on earth, and that they are privileged to pray while he is delighted to answer.

Living By His Power

Truly celebrating Resurrection Day includes living each day considering the glorious explosion of power demonstrated that day. Each day is an opportunity to see that power again. Our needs are inviting us to enter the realm of resurrection-living. We don't have to wait until next Easter to celebrate resurrection. We live by the power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Help us champion truth, freedom, limited government and human dignity. Support The Stream >>

Beyond Resurrection

by

Resurrection Sunday is by far the most dynamic day of the year for the Christian. All the hopes of humanity are fulfilled in the power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is so much more than a doctrine. The resurrection declares that a new creation has begun within the old creation, and the possibilities of transformation are mind-boggling.

If (since) Jesus is really raised from the dead, and we are given his life (the eternal kind of life), then we know we shall forever live with him. But there is more. We share the power that raised Jesus from the dead. The ramifications of that are limitless.

His Power for Those Who Believe

The apostle Paul prayed “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints. And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:18-20 NRSV)

 
 
 
 
 

The same power that raised Jesus is in us who believe. It enables us to say "no" to the lures of sin, to forgive the offender, to love the undeserving, to lay our lives down promoting God's great redemption, to rejoice always, to believe against great odds, to walk on with hope when darkness seems to prevail, to sing through tears, to stand alone for the gospel, and to bless those who curse us.

It is truly supernatural. But we must acknowledge that the resurrection introduced a new kind of creation to the world. Those who share the resurrected life of Jesus are characterized by transformation. Their stories reveal drastic change.

Without shame, they own their desperation while embracing his gracious intervention. They know that they cannot live by the powers of their own personality. They need the "other worldly" power they receive from him. They expect that power to enable them to express an "other worldly" kind of love that never fails, though it is often working behind the scenes.

They also expect the Father to answer their prayers according to that same power. They are not praying to simply relieve stress. It is not self-talk. They are aware that they are partners with God in getting his purpose done on earth, and that they are privileged to pray while he is delighted to answer.

Living By His Power

Truly celebrating Resurrection Day includes living each day considering the glorious explosion of power demonstrated that day. Each day is an opportunity to see that power again. Our needs are inviting us to enter the realm of resurrection-living. We don't have to wait until next Easter to celebrate resurrection. We live by the power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Help us champion truth, freedom, limited government and human dignity. Support The Stream >>

The post Beyond Resurrection appeared first on The Stream.

Christ In You,The Hope Of Glory

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I have good news Jesus Is Alive! I have more good news For those who believe in Him Jesus Is Alive In You! Jesus is the perfect everything you will ever need living on the inside of you. I don’t know about you, but that just flat out makes me relax. Need provision? Jesus is […]

Embracing Our New Life Daily

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The resurrection life

The central message of the first century church was the resurrection of Jesus and the ramifications for the world. The apostle Paul said, "He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Colossians 1:18) Later in history the resurrection became more of an appendage to Christian doctrine and sometimes an embarrassment to those inoculated with false science. As the Enlightenment began to exert its influence, the resurrection of Jesus was pushed to the periphery of gospel preaching with the major benefit being a glimmer of hope of life after death. But it is so much more.

The garden we manage is both undeveloped and infested with weeds and thorns. But, we have the resources to get the job done.

Ever since Eden, God planned for a new creation. It was prefigured in the Flood with Noah and his family pointing toward a future new world with a new race. It would be the day that the promise to woman in the Garden would be fulfilled. You remember that God promised that one day the seed of woman would crush the head of the Serpent. (Genesis 3:15) Adam and Eve lost their kingly role in creation by submitting to Satan, but one of their race, a truly human, was destined to start over.

Embracing Our New Life Daily

Some work had to be done before this climactic event, and the story is fascinating. God became a man in the person of Jesus and participated human history in a way that fulfilled the requirements of eternal justice. He lived a perfect life and, died as a substitute for sinful humans. In his death, he ripped away the awful fear of finality and the dreadful anticipation of judgment. Sin was judged in him and sinners were acquitted. In his resurrection, he eliminated the finality aspect of death.

There is life beyond death, but there is so much more. He is the firstborn from the dead. Those who believe (trust in) him are born again by the Spirit that raised Jesus. They begin living the new life now and will continue it forever. The resurrection is not just our hope for the future after our own death, but hope for the present after Jesus's death–and resurrection.

We celebrate the season of Lent in our churches and in our special religions services, but also by embracing our new life daily. We are a new race on the earth. Like Adam and Eve, we have custodial and managerial duties in creation. We too, walk and talk with God in our gardens. We continually gaze on his face without fear and rejoice in the safety of his presence. The garden we manage is both undeveloped and infested with weeds and thorns. But, we have the resources to get the job done. We have been given the name of Jesus who triumphed in the battle with Satan and his powers. We also have been given the Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of resurrection, and of transformation as our promised helper and advocate.

Therefore, we are not hapless victims in a world-gone-bad. We are God's new people sent to proclaim the good news that the promise has been fulfilled; the head of the Serpent is crushed; the exile of Israel is over; the day of vindication has come! The Son of man has arisen and the kingdom has been given to him and his people.

It is a new day. We honor it by living life to the fullest.  

It Is Finished

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On this day darkness met light
Sin met righteousness
Life met death
A reconciliation of all things and all people into One
Not a sin forgotten
not a nationality left out
For God so loved the whole world
For God’s plan included the whole world
And into His Son would be placed all sin
In Him would be the final seperation
In Him would be all law exacted
In Him would justice meet love
In Him would the blood make it’s final payment
Darkness fell and the earth shook
The wages of sin were deposited into the bank of eternity
Making way for the gift of God to be withdrawn
Unto all and upon all them that believe
Days later Light broke through
Righteousness came forth
and eternal Life conquered death
What was without was placed within
What is now within is being seen
Out of death came Life eternal
and it’s exceedingly, abundantly above anything we could ask or think.
Heaven on earth, Heaven in earth
It is finished!

Wynema Clark 4/3/2015


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