Why did Jesus leave his disciples
forty days after his resurrection?
Today in most Christian countries through out the world it is the celebration of
the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. The event is said to have happened 40 days after Jesus rose from the dead and that is why it used always be called Ascension Thursday. In some Catholic countries its a holiday (from the two words holy day). But in a pagan and lazy country like
Australia the churches have relegated this feast to the following Sunday so
that those who only go to church out of custom each week will not miss out on
hearing the message of what is significant about this feast. Of course those
who never go to church (or those who only go at Christmas time) will not hear
the message at all, and they are therefore deprived of an opportunity to learn
why Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is so significant to the lives of all
human beings (even those who don’t know it). They will miss another chance to feel the Holy Spirit's gentle influence guiding them closer to peace and tranquility on earth.
Forty is a significant number in the scriptures. Moses went
to the mountain to seek the face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting.
The people of Israel were in the wilderness for forty years in preparation for
their entry into the promised land. Elijah fasted for forty days as he
journeyed in the wilderness to the mountain of God. For forty days after his resurrection Jesus appeared
numerous times to his disciples to
assure them that he had risen indeed and to prepare them for the task of carrying
on the work which he began during his earthy ministry.
Jesus' departure and
ascension was both an end and a beginning for his disciples. While it was the
end of Jesus' physical presence with his beloved disciples, it marked the
beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a new way. Jesus promised that he
would be with them always to the end of time (Matthew 28:20). Now as the
glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to the right hand of the Father
in heaven, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit who would anoint them
with power on the Feast of Pentecost, just as Jesus was anointed for his
ministry at the River Jordan. When the Lord Jesus departed physically from the
apostles, they were not left in sorrow or grief. Instead, they were filled with
joy and with great anticipation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus' last words to
His apostles point to his saving mission and to their mission to be witnesses
of his saving death and his glorious resurrection and to proclaim the good news
of salvation to all the world. Their task is to proclaim the gospel the good
news of salvation not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations as
well. God's love and gift of salvation is not reserved for a few or for one
nation alone, but it is for the whole world –
for all who will accept it. The gospel is the power of God, the power to
release people from their burden of guilt, sin, and oppression, and the power
to heal, restore, and make us whole. Do you believe in the power of the gospel?
This is the great commission
which the risen Jesus gives to the whole church. Its not just the men who
occupy seats of authority who are expected to represent the message of Jesus. All
believers have been given a share in this task to be heralds of the good news
and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only saviour of the world. We have not
been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the
power of his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours
out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ
and to equip it for effective ministry and mission world-wide. Do you witness
to others the joy of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection?
Lord Jesus, through
the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise
and joy which no earthly trial can subdue.
Fill me with your
resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your
glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the gospel and the reality
of your resurrection.
HELP WANTED
"When Silas and
Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to occupy himself totally with
preaching the word." —(Acts 18:5,11)
St. Paul came alone
to the Greek city of Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). Paul had been given the spiritual
gift of teaching. However, he was an outreach team of one, and so his impact
was limited. He found work as a tentmaker to support himself (Acts 18:3). It is
certainly possible to work a full-time job and evangelize effectively; for
example, many in Presentation Ministries have full-time secular jobs and still
volunteer our free time to evangelize. Nonetheless, it is clear that Paul's
evangelistic outreach was multiplied when his co-workers Silas and Timothy
arrived (Acts 18:5). Paul's two co-workers were exercising the spiritual gift
of assistance or "helps" (see 1 Cor 12:28). Their practical and
financial support apparently freed Paul from having to spend so much time as a
tentmaker. Now that Silas and Timothy were in Corinth to round out the outreach
team, Paul could be totally occupied with evangelization, preaching, and
teaching (Acts 18:5). Some of you who read this have also been called by God to
be helpers or assistants (1 Cor 12:28). When that gift is not being used or
welcomed, the spread of God's Word will be limited. Preachers, evangelists, and
teachers need spirit-filled assistants and helpers. If you have this calling,
you generally won't receive top billing on the program. However, "be
content with what you have" (Heb 13:5) and use your gift bountifully. Those
who minister cannot be as fruitful without the Spirit working freely through
their helpers.
Prayer: Father, during the upcoming Pentecost Novena, raise
up many assistants and helpers to bring our nation back to You.
Promise: "You
will grieve for a time, but your grief will be turned into joy." (John
16:20)
