DAY 40 – THE DAY OF JESUS' ASCENSION

ASCENSION!

40 days after resurrection: ASCENSION (Mount of Olives, near Bethany):
(Reposted from 2010, with minor edits)

Reading for today:
Matthew 28:18-20
Luke 24:50-51
Acts 1:1-11

It’s been 40 days since Resurrection Sunday.   The current date on the Hebrew calendar is the 29^th day of Iyyar, (but at the time of Jesus life, I believe it was the month of Sivan) and while our “Resurrrection Day (Easter)” date changes depending on the lunar cycle, theirs does not.  (But – we are on Gregorian time so I will use that instead of trying to merge the two.  Flipping back and forth between them gets very confusing.) 

In +-33 A D during the 40 days between Resurrection and Ascension Jesus walked on earth….  Jesus appeared to his disciples at least twice in Jerusalem – once on the Sunday of his resurrection – and once a week later when Thomas was with them.  Later he appeared to them by the Sea of Galilee, after the disciples had been out fishing overnight – and had caught nothing. 

They didn’t argue with him when he told them to throw the net on the other side. Their act of obedience demonstrates complete trust. They could have retorted that it was preposterous to think there could be a catch of fish on one side versus the other – but they obeyed. Jesus could have filled their nets right where they were – but he didn’t. It was one more miracle for them to remember – a miracle of provision and care. Total trust. Total obedience. Lessons to pay attention to. 

And now he appears to them for the last time. John, interestingly, does not tell us about the ascension of Jesus. The disciples were back near Jerusalem, near Bethany. As you will recall, Bethany was on the flank of the Mount of Olives about 2 miles from Jerusalem. And from that mountain, near Bethany, where Jesus’ dear friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived, forty days after His resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven. (We actually know from Luke’s account in Acts that the site was only a Sabbath-day’s walk from the city, so it was not far – likely only about three-quarters of a mile, since that is the reported length of a Sabbath day’s walk….)

Jesus had brought reconciliation to Peter, given his disciples enough contact time to validate his resurrection, and now it was time to return to his place in heaven. His redemptive work on earth was completed, and in his final admonition he passed the torch. Matthew’s gospel records Jesus saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

A dear, brilliant pastor friend of mine told me that the correct interpretation is not quite the same as ‘The Great Commission’ I grew up with – which was an absolute “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” He says that the correct translation is “In your going, disciple.” 

Jesus knew they were going…. Persecution was on the horizon. They would be scattered – and with that scattering the compelling message of salvation was poured into human hands to be proclaimed to human hearts. 

There was just one last thing: They had to wait in Jerusalem until they received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. It was not going to be long…just a ‘few’ days – well, ten, to be precise – but they didn’t know that!

I can’t resist one brief bunny trail. They were absolutely intransigent in their belief Jesus was going to set up an earthly kingdom – still. During the final forty days he was with them, he did indeed talk about His kingdom – but it was not a kingdom on earth – it was a kingdom in human hearts. Even after his death and resurrection, it appears they didn’t get it. His crown had been a crown of thorns. He had shed his blood to take away the sins of the world – and these good Jewish boys were still stuck on their own variety of kingdom-thinking. 

Not so very different from us. We want the ‘land flowing with milk and honey’ promises – the ‘God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life’ of the seeker-friendly churches who make Christianity sound like living on Easy Street. I can tell you it isn’t going to be easy every step of the way – in fact, Satan is out to deter, deceive, destroy, devour, dissuade, discredit, and throw every detrimental dart possible to keep us from sticking to our commitment to Christ. He’s ruthless. He doesn’t want us to succeed in our Christian walk. He wages a spiritual battle against us every day!  Your enemy – the devil – goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour….

But I have Good News. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. In Jesus’ last words to his disciples he told them he would never leave them or forsake them. While He could be in only one place at a time because of His physical limitation, the promised Holy Spirit – the Paracletos – the Comforter – could be everywhere at the same time. 

What an amazing God – that He came to redeem us, then made a way for us to have Him present with us, in us, beside us, before us, surrounding us every moment of every day – affirming His love for us, even in His discipline, even in the tough times. 

He rose from the supposed confines of a grave carved out of stone, then forty days later – at his ascension, rose again from earth through the skies. The disciples watched him go, their eyes piercing the sky hoping for one last glimpse, but He was hidden by a cloud. One more time angels deliver a message: “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 

And He will – and the way things are progressing with prophecies being fulfilled so rapidly, the clock of time is winding down….  We are heading in and the End will not be pleasant – but the Lord has all of it in His very capable hands.    


Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

DAY 39 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

THE LIBERATION OF JERUSALEM

Last night I had the privilege of being present for CBN’s one-night-only presentation of IN OUR HANDS: The Battle for Jerusalem, which was a history lesson and re-enactment of the 6-day war in 1967.  It was marvelously educational, and a true tribute to the 50 year anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem on May 23, 1967. 

Most of that escaped my attention at the time it occurred.  I was 21, very pregnant with my first child, focused on just surviving one day at a time – and at that point Israel wasn’t on my radar like it would come to be in later years. 

The movie was a dramatic portrayal of the events of that war, and heartbreakingly real.  Somehow when I previously heard the 6-Day War mentioned I viewed it as God miraculously stepping in and intervening without much loss of life – but lives were lost.  God certainly was in the process, but their victory came at a cost. 

Even though Israel officially became a country again in 1948, it was not until 1967 that they liberated the Old City, and were finally able to go back to the Western Wall, which represents the foundational area just outside the Second Temple, which had been destroyed in 70 A D.  It was an incredibly historic moment – and that reality is corroborated by the portrayals in the movie.   

For about half an hour their flag even waved from the top of the Dome of the Rock, but their military leader made them remove it for fear of upsetting the whole world.   Yet, we know from prophecy the day will come that the third temple will be built.  I don’t know how all of that is going to happen but I know God’s Word is true and that it will happen. 

We are seeing prophecies fulfilled at an alarming rate!   And because Satan knows his time is short he’s ramping up the hideous and horrible.  But he is not to be feared.  The worst that he can do is kill the body. 

DAY 38 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

MORE THOUGHTS WHILE WE WAIT!

THE ALPHA & THE OMEGA

In 2010 my daughter helped me figure out how to start this blog a few days into the Lenten season, and I promptly decided to use it as a Lenten journey spiritual discipline opportunity.   This year (2017), in reusing the 2010 blog entries, I did some editing – particularly to align dates from those early blog entries – and on days I didn’t write in 2010 I have filled in the blank spaces.  That is especially applicable to the period between Resurrection and Ascension.  I wrote a few entries that year – but did not commit to it being daily.  It is a long time to commit to write something daily!  40 days + the 6 Sundays of Lent; then 40 days from Resurrection to Ascension and another 10 days to Pentecost.  But doing it daily makes it real in a way that cannot be accomplished by any other means. 

That Jesus was alive again and walked on earth for those 40 additional days is compelling.  It couldn’t be passed off as a dream or illusion or fantasy or concoction.  We aren’t told exactly how many times he was seen, or how much time he spent with his disciples – but the evidence is clear.  Before his death I talked about ‘final words’ he shared – but he had multiple opportunities during this period of time to cement those words in their hearts and bolster their courage for standing faithfully through whatever would come in the future. 

He was (and is) the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.  The author and finisher of our faith.  The Great I AM! 

Today is my cousin LaRene's 95th birthday!  I was named after her mother, so feel an extra-special connection to Lola's children!  Happy birthday, cuz!  May God bless your day with many joys!  Wish I could be there!  

DAY 37 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

End Times

We’re here – in the End Times, because Jesus’ coming was the transition that marked the beginning of that period of time in human history – but what we find more compelling in our current facet of that journey is the incredible fulfillment of prophecies that Jesus said would lead up to His Second Coming.  There is so much information that we are provided – and yet so much we are not meant to know….   What we do know is that God has it all in His hands, and we can trust Him.  My view has to be focused into eternity – not on the temporal.  Easily said.  More challenging to do. 

When I face times of challenge I know He alone is the answer.  He alone is my defender.  He alone is whom I am ultimately accountable to – but He establishes hierarchies I am instructed to honor.  And I will….

There is a poem my dad quoted often, written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.  It has been very present on my mind through my time of recent distress:

One ship sails east, another west

By the self-same winds that blow

‘Tis the set of the sails and not the gale

That determines the way they go.

Like the winds of the sea are the waves of fate

As we journey on through life

‘Tis the set of the soul that determines the goal

And not the calm nor strife.

(My apologies to Ella if either my dad or I misremembered the wording.)

As we head into the brewing storms – whether the final events of history or the ones brewing to try to distract and divert us – we need to remember the only One who can calm the storm – or calm us in it!

Lord, help me keep my sail set toward You!  Thank you for bearing our sorrows with us and calming us in the storm!  My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength…thank You!

DAY 36 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

HE ALONE IS WORTHY OF ALL HONOR AND POWER AND GLORY AND PRAISE

Revelation 19

(I have used all of my recycled 2010 entries....  From now on all of them are fresh unless specifically stated to be otherwise!)

I have stated many times that God is worthy of our praise and worship no matter what our circumstances. 

I have had to put that into action the past few days.  I have also had to remind myself that Satan crafts his assaults on us for maximum effect – and that people are not the enemy – he is!   But it is crystal clear that he attacks us in the areas that are most precious to us.  He really is a louse.

I can tell myself that this experience is an opportunity to understand just a wee bit of what Jesus felt when he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and denied by his buddy Peter – and know that He felt the human emotions of that pain – even though He knew it was coming because He was God and knew all things.  

I can tell myself God is my Defender, and He will work it out.  He will.

I can tell myself all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  It does.  

I have told myself lots of things  – but I still have to grapple with the pain and subsequent tears….  Sometimes life dishes up lemons.  Anyone for a glass of lemonade? 

In every difficulty we should assess whether we are where God wants us to be and if we are being attacked because we are interfering with Satan’s plans – or if it is God’s wake-up call to ‘get out of the kitchen if we can’t handle the flames.’  That is where I am grappling at the moment.  I want clarity and have not acquired it yet. 

This too shall pass.    

He is worthy of my praise no matter what my circumstances.  Praise the LORD!

DAY 35 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION – for May 20

MORE INFO ABOUT MY POTATO MASHER PARABLES

Over the years, in addition to those I’ve located, my collection has grown due to contributions from others. Those that were gifts remind me of the person and the gift of their friendship and love – and also of the Gift of love God gave us in His Son when Jesus came to earth to bring us salvation. They also remind me that WE are God’s Gift to Jesus – His inheritance. The cost he paid so dearly on the cross was for us, and we are his prize – his inheritance. 

Those that are from friends remind me of the gift of lessons I’ve learned from my friends. One example is “The 5 year plan.” At one juncture when I was deliberating between two seemingly important events, my friend Cathie advised me to determine which I would do based on which one would still matter in 5 years. Too often, our lives are dictated by the urgent instead of the important, and that little lesson has helped me make the better choice a number of times. 


In early December one year when I had to choose between going to choir practice or to my son-in-law’s 30th birthday party, I chose family. 5 years hence no one will remember if I was at choir that night or not – even though it was when we were practicing for our Christmas cantata, which definitely was important. But – my son-in-law will most likely remember – and my daughter certainly will – that I made the choice to prioritize him that December 2. And if they don’t, I do. On the other hand, I don’t have a clue what the songs were for that particular Christmas.

DAY 34 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION – for May 19

POPPING BACK TO POTATO MASHER PARABLES….

During the first 29 years of collecting I never imagined potato mashers being something God could use, but that just proves his resourcefulness. I’ve learned that God uses everything that’s ever happened to us for his good if we are willing to let him. He even redeems the bad things that happen and uses it to allow us to help others for His glory. 

God uses visuals to teach. Remember what God said to Moses, “What is that in your hand?” And then God used what Moses had – which was his walking stick – as an object lesson. 

Jesus also used the mundane to teach. One of my favorites is in Matthew 11:28-30, where his invitation to his hearers was, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

His hearers would have understood immediately what he was offering, because they knew what a yoke was and the way it was used. They saw it as a visual before them in their everyday life. They knew that a stronger, older ox was always yoked with a younger, inexperienced one so the stronger one could bear the greater strain of the burden they pulled, and be a teacher to the inexperienced younger one. Isn’t it wonderful to know that once you have accepted Him as Savior, Jesus is right there in the yoke with you - bearing the greater part of the burden? 


More than once someone has said to me, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” And I tell them, “He has given me more than I could handle multiple times – but He will never give me more than He can handle" – and I find peace in knowing that. Max Lucado says, “Sometimes He calms the storm. Sometimes He calms His child in the storm.” I know from experience that sometimes you just have to hold on for dear life and know He is there because His Word declares He is, though you can’t feel His presence at all. Our walk is a journey of faith, not of feeling, and that’s good, because feelings are very often unreliable. They can’t be trusted.