| Monday, April 16, 2007 |
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| Written by Kevin Boling | ||
| Monday, 16 April 2007 | ||
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The Ascension of Christ
Imagine what the Disciples of Christ must have felt: They had spent three years in close fellowship with Christ – he taught them, comforted them, defended them from the attacks of the Pharisees, then suddenly Christ is talking about going to Jerusalem… being arrested, suffering at the hands of the Roman soldiers and then put to death.
Before they knew it, they were awakened from their sleep in the garden. Christ was being led away, by the Chief Priests and a large band of soldiers to be questioned by Pontius Pilate. The sham trial ended with Christ being sentenced to die the death of the cross. They watched in horror as the Master endured that awful sentence and then finally with a loud cry, gave up the ghost.
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus summed up their confusion and despair saying, “we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel”.
Then suddenly everything changes – they discover that Christ is Alive! He reveals Himself to them in the breaking of bread… He meets with them in the upper room in Jerusalem. Jesus is alive, now all will be well again.
However, after forty days of fellowship, once again the physical presence of their Master and Friend is removed from them. (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.”
Again, the disciples seem to have been unaware that this would happen, for just prior to the Ascension we read of them asking Christ this question “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Again, Christ had plainly told the disciples that this day would come. He even seemed to anticipate their reaction saying, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7)
Today, on the “Calling For Truth” Radio Program we will discuss the Ascension of Christ and specifically we will consider how it is that the removal of Christ’s physical presence from us, can be viewed as “Expedient” (Profitable, Good or Better) for us. The specific passage we will consider is found in Ephesians 4:7-13 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:”
Note: During this discussing we will also consider the erroneous teaching that Christ descended into Hell during the three days between his death and resurrection.
To listen to the program, click on the words “Read more”
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