In our most recent “Evening Meditation” Bible Study we looked at John 6:60-71, that whole Paragraph.
Within its scope is this great Event … “What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?” That event being our Lord’s Ascension back to Heaven, John 6:63.
Jesus had repeatedly told His hearers, including His enemies, that He was the One Who “came down from Heaven.” And they were offended at His bold Claim!
Then the Saviour says something like this … “If you’re aghast at the Incarnation, what will you be at My Ascension?”
In explaining that crucial verse, “I forgot to say” some things. Facts about Jesus’ bodily return to His Father in Heaven!
First of all, not every Gospel covers, describes the Ascension!
Matthew does not. Neither does John! That’s astounding!
But little Mark does, briefly! “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19
And Luke? Both in in his Gospel and his New Testament Book of history, the Acts.
Luke 24:51 … “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”
And Acts 1:9 … “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.”
Wow!
It is even possible (probable I think) that the Old Testament predicts the Ascension too! Where?
“God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.” Psalm 47:5-6
For these Jews to be so shocked, offended at the Truth of Jesus’ Divinity is hard to understand.
He did come down from Heaven!
He did ascend back to Heaven!
Having secured eternal salvation for everyone who believes!
Luke’s fullest version of Jesus’ Return to Heaven is described like this: “8 Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem …” Acts 1:8-12
Hallelujah!
One more verse about the Ascension, startling nearly! In John 3:13 Jesus told Nicodemus … “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”
Historically Jesus was in Jerusalem when he conducted that interview (conversation) with Nicodemus … yet here He also plainly says that He is also “in Heaven!” Look again …“the Son of man which is IN HEAVEN!”
Oh yes, He is ascended.
And in His Mind, His Heart … Heaven was HOME!
Jesus, our Ascended Saviour, very inoffensive to me!
In fact, I adore and honor and worship Him!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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