Scripture Readings for the Seventh Sunday in Easter
Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, I Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11
The Ascension of Christ is something that we often don’t think much about. It is sort of an interesting story that sits between Easter and Pentecost. Jesus promises the disciples that they will receive power from the Holy Spirit and that they will become His witnesses. Then He begins to rise up into the clouds until He disappears. The disciples were all still looking up when two men dressed in white (angels) appeared and basically told them that it was useless to keep looking up because Jesus had gone up to heaven.
This story just seems like a nice ending to the gospel. Jesus was born, He lived, taught, did miracles, was crucified, on the third day rose, appeared to the disciples, and disappeared into heaven. But the Christian community of the New Testament saw this event as something more significant. When we read the New Testament Jesus’ exalted place in heaven is mentioned often. In fact Psalm 110:1 is the most often quoted Old Testament scripture in the New Testament. It reads:
The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
The early Christians understood real power. Jesus, their friend was now their advocate. What an advocate to have! Here is someone who knew them because He had lived their life and now He was seated in the place of highest authority. When he appeared to them after the resurrection He showed them that he was no ghost but was made of human flesh and bone like them. He ascended in the flesh. And now human flesh was seated in glory. No wonder the New Testament writers talked so much about hope!
After Jesus ascended, the disciples returned to Jerusalem and began to wait for what Jesus had promised – power. Waiting isn’t easy. We don’t like to wait. I’m sure it was no different for the disciples in that upper room. But what they had witnessed at the ascension probably made the wait easier. They knew that Jesus had the authority to deliver on His promise. And He did. As we know, the Holy Spirit came in power on the day of Pentecost.
What we see next is an explosion of Christianity. It is recorded in the book of Acts. The name “Acts” tells it all. It is a book of empowered action. What we may overlook is that it is also a book of “Waits.” The early Christians understood that power came from God. There was no need to strike out on their own. Instead we read about them waiting on the Lord in prayer often with very powerful results. These early Christians had all of the odds stacked against them. They were up against skepticism and severe persecution at times. They had little or no political clout. But they continued firm in their resolve. They understood that Jesus was not only the risen Savior but also the ascended Lord with all authority. They experienced this power through the Holy Spirit. What we see in the book of Acts is a calm, directed, yet powerful and unstopable movement. This movement happened because of worship and prayer. As the early Christians waited on God, their perspective on power and authority was kept straight. They knew that God was in control.
Worship helps us to keep our perspective straight. In worship we know and declare that, “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11). Worship reminds us that Jesus, who is highly exalted, is also our friend and brother. We have an advocate who is on our side because He understands our life. In worship we experience God’s power through the Holy Spirit. Worship reminds us that we don’t have to “jump the gun” and charge ahead taking matters into our own hands. Worship reminds us to humbly wait on God for wisdom, direction, and power to act.
This story just seems like a nice ending to the gospel. Jesus was born, He lived, taught, did miracles, was crucified, on the third day rose, appeared to the disciples, and disappeared into heaven. But the Christian community of the New Testament saw this event as something more significant. When we read the New Testament Jesus’ exalted place in heaven is mentioned often. In fact Psalm 110:1 is the most often quoted Old Testament scripture in the New Testament. It reads:
The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
The early Christians understood real power. Jesus, their friend was now their advocate. What an advocate to have! Here is someone who knew them because He had lived their life and now He was seated in the place of highest authority. When he appeared to them after the resurrection He showed them that he was no ghost but was made of human flesh and bone like them. He ascended in the flesh. And now human flesh was seated in glory. No wonder the New Testament writers talked so much about hope!
After Jesus ascended, the disciples returned to Jerusalem and began to wait for what Jesus had promised – power. Waiting isn’t easy. We don’t like to wait. I’m sure it was no different for the disciples in that upper room. But what they had witnessed at the ascension probably made the wait easier. They knew that Jesus had the authority to deliver on His promise. And He did. As we know, the Holy Spirit came in power on the day of Pentecost.
What we see next is an explosion of Christianity. It is recorded in the book of Acts. The name “Acts” tells it all. It is a book of empowered action. What we may overlook is that it is also a book of “Waits.” The early Christians understood that power came from God. There was no need to strike out on their own. Instead we read about them waiting on the Lord in prayer often with very powerful results. These early Christians had all of the odds stacked against them. They were up against skepticism and severe persecution at times. They had little or no political clout. But they continued firm in their resolve. They understood that Jesus was not only the risen Savior but also the ascended Lord with all authority. They experienced this power through the Holy Spirit. What we see in the book of Acts is a calm, directed, yet powerful and unstopable movement. This movement happened because of worship and prayer. As the early Christians waited on God, their perspective on power and authority was kept straight. They knew that God was in control.
Worship helps us to keep our perspective straight. In worship we know and declare that, “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11). Worship reminds us that Jesus, who is highly exalted, is also our friend and brother. We have an advocate who is on our side because He understands our life. In worship we experience God’s power through the Holy Spirit. Worship reminds us that we don’t have to “jump the gun” and charge ahead taking matters into our own hands. Worship reminds us to humbly wait on God for wisdom, direction, and power to act.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (I Peter 4:6-7)
We Wait on You
We wait on You.
For it’s not by our own power and strength.
We wait on You.
Holy Spirit please descend upon this place.
To Your will and to Your way
Lord, we surrender.
Our hearts are open wide to Your love.
Help us follow You always and forever.
We need Your holy fire from above.
We Wait on You, by J. Brooke Fenwick, copyright 2001. All rights reserved.
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