Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension: Our Sovereign King

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection as Fulfillment and Reassurance

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but a profound fulfillment of the scriptures. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after rising from the dead, he did so to reassure them of his continued presence and mission. By showing them his hands and feet, the marks of his crucifixion, he dispelled their fears and doubts. This encounter was a testament to the continuity and transformation that awaits all believers, as Jesus explained how the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to his death and resurrection. His glorified body, though different, was a sign of the new life promised to those who follow him. [06:09]

Luke 24:44-45 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.' Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures."

Reflection: In what ways can you seek to understand and embrace the continuity and transformation that Jesus' resurrection promises in your own life today?

Day 2: The Ascension as Coronation and Authority

The ascension of Jesus is a pivotal event that signifies his coronation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is not merely a departure from earth but an assumption of his rightful place at the right hand of the Father, where he reigns with absolute authority. This event transcends any earthly power or authority, reminding us that Jesus' reign is supreme and eternal. The disciples, initially bewildered by his departure, came to understand its significance, returning to Jerusalem with great joy, ready to receive the Holy Spirit and continue the mission of spreading the gospel to all nations. [14:50]

Ephesians 1:20-21 (ESV): "That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."

Reflection: How does acknowledging Jesus' supreme authority challenge you to live differently in your daily interactions and decisions?

Day 3: Jesus as Our Eternal High Priest

Jesus' ascension marks the beginning of his eternal role as our high priest, interceding for us continually in the heavenly sanctuary. This ongoing intercession is a source of comfort and strength, knowing that our Savior continually advocates for us before the Father. It assures us that we are never alone in our struggles and that we have a constant advocate who understands our weaknesses and pleads on our behalf. [17:40]

Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV): "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Jesus' intercession, and how can you actively seek his guidance and support today?

Day 4: The Joy of Understanding God's Plan

The transformation of the disciples from grief to joy upon understanding the significance of Jesus' ascension is a powerful reminder of the peace and purpose that comes from comprehending God's plan. This understanding encourages us to seek deeper insight into God's purposes and to trust in his divine plan for our lives. As the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ready to receive the Holy Spirit, we too are called to embrace the joy that comes from understanding and participating in God's mission. [20:07]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's plan for your life, and how can this understanding bring you greater joy and purpose?

Day 5: Empowered by the Spirit for Mission

Jesus instructed his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before embarking on their mission, underscoring the importance of divine empowerment in fulfilling our calling. This empowerment by the Spirit is essential for witnessing to the world and participating in Jesus' mission. It challenges us to rely not on our own strength but on the Spirit's power as we seek to live out our faith and share the gospel with others. [19:16]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment in your life today, and what specific steps can you take to share your faith with those around you?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound conclusion of the Gospel According to St. Luke, focusing on the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. This moment marks a significant transition, not only in the narrative of Luke but also in the spiritual journey of the disciples and the early church. As Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, he offered them peace and reassurance, dispelling their fears and doubts by showing them his hands and feet, the very marks of his crucifixion. This encounter was not just about proving his physical resurrection but also about fulfilling the scriptures, as Jesus explained how the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to his death and resurrection.

The ascension of Jesus is a pivotal event, often overlooked, yet it signifies his coronation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus ascended not merely to leave the earth but to assume his rightful place at the right hand of the Father, where he reigns with absolute authority. This ascension also marks the beginning of his eternal role as our high priest, interceding for us continually. The disciples, initially bewildered by his departure, came to understand its significance, returning to Jerusalem with great joy, ready to receive the Holy Spirit and continue the mission of spreading the gospel to all nations.

The ascension is not just a historical event but a reminder of Jesus' ongoing reign and intercession. It calls us to live with the assurance that our King is sovereign over all, and it challenges us to participate in his mission with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. resurrection appearances were not just about proving his physical return but about fulfilling the scriptures and reassuring his disciples of his continued presence and mission. His glorified body, though different, was a testament to the continuity and transformation that awaits all believers. [06:09]
2. The Significance of the Ascension: The ascension of Jesus is a crucial event that signifies his coronation as King and his ongoing reign over all creation. It is a reminder that Jesus' authority is supreme and eternal, transcending any earthly power or authority.

3. Jesus as Our High Priest: Jesus' ascension also marks his role as our eternal high priest, interceding for us in the heavenly sanctuary. This ongoing intercession is a source of comfort and strength, knowing that our Savior continually advocates for us before the Father.

4. The Joy of Understanding: The disciples' transformation from grief to joy upon understanding the significance of Jesus' ascension is a powerful reminder of the peace and purpose that comes from comprehending God's plan. It encourages us to seek deeper understanding and trust in God's purposes.

5. Our Mission Empowered by the Spirit: Jesus' instruction to the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before embarking on their mission underscores the importance of divine empowerment in fulfilling our calling. It challenges us to rely on the Spirit's power as we witness to the world.

** [06:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to Luke's Conclusion
[00:32] - Jesus Appears to the Disciples
[01:26] - Fulfillment of Scripture
[02:14] - The Ascension of Jesus
[03:39] - Post-Resurrection Appearances
[05:06] - The Nature of the Resurrected Body
[06:09] - Continuity and Discontinuity
[07:26] - Jesus Eats with the Disciples
[08:26] - Proclamation of Repentance and Forgiveness
[09:22] - The Underrated Ascension
[10:49] - The Ascension in Acts
[12:01] - The Significance of Ascension
[14:50] - Jesus' Coronation and Authority
[17:40] - Jesus as High Priest
[19:16] - The Mission Empowered by the Spirit
[20:07] - The Joy of Understanding
[22:07] - Jesus' Homecoming and Heavenly Praise

Sermon Clips

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, peace to you. But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. [00:00:34]

Touch me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, have you anything here to eat? [00:00:55]

Then he said to them, these are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. [00:01:26]

And said to them, thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. [00:01:39]

And behold, I am sending the promise of my father upon you, but stay in the city until you are clothed with power on high. And then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And while he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. [00:01:58]

And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple blessing God. What a marvelous conclusion to volume one of Luke. Volume two we've already studied, namely the book of Acts. Again, though Luke was the author, the ultimate author was God himself. [00:02:22]

In the days that elapse between the resurrection of Jesus and his Ascension, there are several times that the scriptures tell us in which Jesus appeared to his disciples. On Easter Sunday, we looked at the strange appearance that happened on the road to EMAs when Jesus fell in step with those who were talking about the recent events. [00:03:31]

And as he EAS dropped and asked questions about what had taken place, they explained their grief and surprise about the death and the rumors of his resurrection. Then how Jesus began with Moses and went through the scriptures and explained all that the word of God said about the coming Messiah. [00:03:58]

And then finally the cloak that was over the eyes of these men as they walked to emus was removed as Jesus joined them for dinner and then disappeared quickly from their midst. They said to one another, did not our hearts burn within us as he recounted these things? [00:04:21]

Now we don't know exactly what the makeup was of the resurrection body of Jesus, his glorified body, but this we know for sure, that whatever that body was composed of, we will have as well in our own resurrected bodies. And we also know emphatically that there was both continuity and discontinuity. [00:05:27]

Continuity in this sense, that the same body that was laid in the tomb was the body in which Jesus was raised and walked out of that tomb. To be sure, the body had been changed. It was now glorified. It had mysterious qualities of composition that we don't fully understand, although it was still human. [00:06:00]

And so there was both continuity, as I said, and discontinuity. There was remarkable change in the appearance of Jesus' body, but it was very clear that whenever he came, the disciples were scared to death, like they were scared by a ghost. And Jesus wanted to put their minds at ease, told them, relax, peace, peace be with you. [00:06:37]

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