Jesus' followers face change
Commentary
During a lifetime, changes come that shake us up and require major adjustments. Jesus' followers were put in such a situation by his ascension. Now, they had to continue without his physical presence, without the daily opportunity to bring their questions to him for authoritative answers, without clear directions from his lips for each new situation. One can scarcely imagine a more drastic change than that.
We can learn from the experience of those early disciples if we note carefully both the common human elements in the story and its uniqueness.
In general, Jesus understood the need to be prepared. He carefully instructed the apostles. The future is likely to be longer and harder than people might wish. Even the apostles wanted a quick fix on the kingdom now. Since reality can be all too harsh, the lessons emphasize the importance of assessing helpful resources, a promising vision of the future and specific responsibilities to undertake. We would fall short, however, if we settled for dealing with change in a general human manner.
The story emphasizes the uniqueness of Jesus Christ -- memory of all he did and taught, his suffering, resurrection, ascension and universal reign. The memory of his earthly ministry (soon to be recorded in New Testament writings) and the Old Testament Scripture were the unique resources for the early followers. They still are. The promise points to the coming of the Holy Spirit, the continuing presence and power of Christ, and his ultimate return. The unique responsibility of his followers, then and now, is witness to Christ, the call to humble repentance and renewal in God's forgiveness.
A change was in the offing for the direction of human history. The church was about to be born. In the context of that change and with the dynamic impulses that were to be released from it, members of the church would face the changes that beset their lives through many, many centuries. Now we are among them.
Realistically, we draw upon all the gifts God has given in creation. For example, when illness disrupts our health, we had best seek out the effective curative measures known to medical science. Yet, the trust in God's eternal care and purpose for our lives motivates our initiatives, as well as our acceptance of the outcome. For the propagation and nurture of such treat, we look to the fellowship and ministry of the church of Jesus Christ.
OUTLINE I
Between the times
Acts 1:1-11
A. This lesson points back to the ministry of Jesus and ahead to the ministry of the church. At the end of the one (Luke 24:5 1) and at the beginning of the other (Acts 1:9) came the ascension of Jesus.
Such a major transition required both memory (vv. 1 and 3) and hope. While Jesus' ministry had begun by John baptizing with water, the church's ministry would be marked by baptism with the Holy Spirit. Trusting this promise brought strength for facing the rigor of great change.
B. vv. 9-11. When Jesus ascended, the apostles naturally gazed toward heaven. As at the empty tomb (Luke 24:4-5), two men appeared and asked a question. At the tomb, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" Now, at the ascension, "Why do you stand looking into heaven?" The questions urged a very practical response to the unfathomable events. Reference to Jesus' return showed the church's ministry stretching between the times of Jesus' two appearances on earth.
C. The apostles wanted Jesus to establish his kingdom on earth. No, Jesus' followers could not expect heaven on earth. Not even the date of his second coming was worth discussing. Rather, an era was about to begin with heavy responsibility for witness to Jesus among one's own neighbors (Jerusalem), among people who have been despised (Samaria), and everywhere in the world. There was promise, too, of strength for the task from the Holy Spirit.
OUTLINE II
Universal power and presence
Ephesians 1:15-23
A. vv. 20-23. The connection with Jesus' ascension appears in the hymnic doxology at the end of the passage. It brings to mind the medieval representations of the reigning God and Christ. No matter what the opposition, the resurrection and ascension had shown who holds ultimate power. That power of Christ is as close to the church as head to body, a specially full relationship for the one who fills everything. The universal power and presence that Christ receives is the real significance of his ascension.
B. vv. 15-16. His universality explains the beautiful picture of the church. Overcoming distance and separation in prayer, the author gives thanks for the readers' faith in Jesus and their love expressed in the community of the faithful.
C. vv. 17-19. In addition to faith and love, there is hope. Knowing God is the basis of knowing a multifaceted hope. Here knowing refers to personal encounter. The readers may expect more understanding and revelation. The glory of God will not be concentrated in the light of the Jerusalem temple (1 Kings 8:10-13; Exodus 40:34-35) but in their enlightened "eyes of the heart." The inheritance of the faithful will not be confined to the land of the Old Testament people, but to the special relationship with God reserved for priests (Deuteronomy 18:1-2). The power of this relationship is known in the constant activity of God among believers.
OUTLINE III
A different kind of parting
LLuke 24:46-53
A. Parting from someone whom we have dearly loved usually brings sadness, loneliness and perhaps fear of the future. So it had been at the time of Jesus' crucifixion.
Now it was different. The resurrection had brought a fulfillment consistent with the whole millenium of divine revelation recorded in the Old Testament, all three parts of it.
Having been taught by Jesus to interpret these Scriptures, the disciples found his departure easier to accept. God's Word would remind them he was near. With the added writings that make up the New Testament, we in later generations have the same assurance for enduring the partings we experience.
B. Parting meant the disciples received responsibility for the teaching which Jesus had initiated. High purpose outshown any shadow of grief. People desperately needed to become honest about themselves in repentance and then to know the certainty of God's forgiveness. New confidence could seize new possibilities for useful living. More, there was great vision! The disciples' witness would stretch from Jerusalem to the far corners of the world.
C. Blessing and joy marked Christ's departure at the ascension. It was a beautiful picture. Christ stood with arms out in blessing, a real good-bye. The disciples responded by joyfully blessing God each day.
Christians still treasure representations of the blessing Christ, reminders of God's disposition toward us and encouragement for us to be a blessing.
We can learn from the experience of those early disciples if we note carefully both the common human elements in the story and its uniqueness.
In general, Jesus understood the need to be prepared. He carefully instructed the apostles. The future is likely to be longer and harder than people might wish. Even the apostles wanted a quick fix on the kingdom now. Since reality can be all too harsh, the lessons emphasize the importance of assessing helpful resources, a promising vision of the future and specific responsibilities to undertake. We would fall short, however, if we settled for dealing with change in a general human manner.
The story emphasizes the uniqueness of Jesus Christ -- memory of all he did and taught, his suffering, resurrection, ascension and universal reign. The memory of his earthly ministry (soon to be recorded in New Testament writings) and the Old Testament Scripture were the unique resources for the early followers. They still are. The promise points to the coming of the Holy Spirit, the continuing presence and power of Christ, and his ultimate return. The unique responsibility of his followers, then and now, is witness to Christ, the call to humble repentance and renewal in God's forgiveness.
A change was in the offing for the direction of human history. The church was about to be born. In the context of that change and with the dynamic impulses that were to be released from it, members of the church would face the changes that beset their lives through many, many centuries. Now we are among them.
Realistically, we draw upon all the gifts God has given in creation. For example, when illness disrupts our health, we had best seek out the effective curative measures known to medical science. Yet, the trust in God's eternal care and purpose for our lives motivates our initiatives, as well as our acceptance of the outcome. For the propagation and nurture of such treat, we look to the fellowship and ministry of the church of Jesus Christ.
OUTLINE I
Between the times
Acts 1:1-11
A. This lesson points back to the ministry of Jesus and ahead to the ministry of the church. At the end of the one (Luke 24:5 1) and at the beginning of the other (Acts 1:9) came the ascension of Jesus.
Such a major transition required both memory (vv. 1 and 3) and hope. While Jesus' ministry had begun by John baptizing with water, the church's ministry would be marked by baptism with the Holy Spirit. Trusting this promise brought strength for facing the rigor of great change.
B. vv. 9-11. When Jesus ascended, the apostles naturally gazed toward heaven. As at the empty tomb (Luke 24:4-5), two men appeared and asked a question. At the tomb, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" Now, at the ascension, "Why do you stand looking into heaven?" The questions urged a very practical response to the unfathomable events. Reference to Jesus' return showed the church's ministry stretching between the times of Jesus' two appearances on earth.
C. The apostles wanted Jesus to establish his kingdom on earth. No, Jesus' followers could not expect heaven on earth. Not even the date of his second coming was worth discussing. Rather, an era was about to begin with heavy responsibility for witness to Jesus among one's own neighbors (Jerusalem), among people who have been despised (Samaria), and everywhere in the world. There was promise, too, of strength for the task from the Holy Spirit.
OUTLINE II
Universal power and presence
Ephesians 1:15-23
A. vv. 20-23. The connection with Jesus' ascension appears in the hymnic doxology at the end of the passage. It brings to mind the medieval representations of the reigning God and Christ. No matter what the opposition, the resurrection and ascension had shown who holds ultimate power. That power of Christ is as close to the church as head to body, a specially full relationship for the one who fills everything. The universal power and presence that Christ receives is the real significance of his ascension.
B. vv. 15-16. His universality explains the beautiful picture of the church. Overcoming distance and separation in prayer, the author gives thanks for the readers' faith in Jesus and their love expressed in the community of the faithful.
C. vv. 17-19. In addition to faith and love, there is hope. Knowing God is the basis of knowing a multifaceted hope. Here knowing refers to personal encounter. The readers may expect more understanding and revelation. The glory of God will not be concentrated in the light of the Jerusalem temple (1 Kings 8:10-13; Exodus 40:34-35) but in their enlightened "eyes of the heart." The inheritance of the faithful will not be confined to the land of the Old Testament people, but to the special relationship with God reserved for priests (Deuteronomy 18:1-2). The power of this relationship is known in the constant activity of God among believers.
OUTLINE III
A different kind of parting
LLuke 24:46-53
A. Parting from someone whom we have dearly loved usually brings sadness, loneliness and perhaps fear of the future. So it had been at the time of Jesus' crucifixion.
Now it was different. The resurrection had brought a fulfillment consistent with the whole millenium of divine revelation recorded in the Old Testament, all three parts of it.
Having been taught by Jesus to interpret these Scriptures, the disciples found his departure easier to accept. God's Word would remind them he was near. With the added writings that make up the New Testament, we in later generations have the same assurance for enduring the partings we experience.
B. Parting meant the disciples received responsibility for the teaching which Jesus had initiated. High purpose outshown any shadow of grief. People desperately needed to become honest about themselves in repentance and then to know the certainty of God's forgiveness. New confidence could seize new possibilities for useful living. More, there was great vision! The disciples' witness would stretch from Jerusalem to the far corners of the world.
C. Blessing and joy marked Christ's departure at the ascension. It was a beautiful picture. Christ stood with arms out in blessing, a real good-bye. The disciples responded by joyfully blessing God each day.
Christians still treasure representations of the blessing Christ, reminders of God's disposition toward us and encouragement for us to be a blessing.
