Acts 1:6-11

So we’ve gotten past the introduction to Acts, and are now being reminded of the Ascension of Jesus.   I find it interesting that both accounts, written by the same man, are somewhat different. We’ll see one account in Acts 1:6-11.

The question is, why are they somewhat different?   Does it mean that Luke is lying or is he just emphasizing different things or what?  Since the whole bible is the inspired word of God we know that he’s not lying.  He’s just saying things differently. 

For Instance 

For instance I can say that recently we went camping up at North Bay for a while.   Or I can be more specific and say recently we went camping and stayed at Restoule PP for one week starting on Aug 26.   Same thing, but different right?   One is more specific, the other more general.   And when we read the bible we need to pay attention to what is written and not make assumptions.   

We also need to realize that just because one account leaves out details doesn’t mean they haven’t happened.   I don’t tell a story the same way every time I tell it.  Sometimes you need to be brief and point out the most important bits and other times I have time to expand and share other important bits. 

We find this account in Acts 1:6-11

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ 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.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Also this account in shorter form in Luke 24

⁵⁰ And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹ While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵² And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple blessing God.

It’s actually kinda neat seeing both of these passages together.  Getting a bigger picture of the ascension.  We see that the disciples didn’t mourn Jesus ascending into heaven.  The two men in white clothes reminded them he’d be coming back.  Wouldn’t that be something to joyful about? AND it reminded them to get on with what Jesus told them.  Go to Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Sometimes, just sometimes I wish I could go back in the day and watch events first hand right?  To see their sorrow, and then their joy at those 40 days with Jesus spending time with them, and then their joy as they wait for Jesus’ promise of a helper to be fulfilled. 

Looking more into Acts 1:6-11

 ^{When I see the disciples asking “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”   I see that they are kinda getting it you know?  They see that Christ has come to do a restorative work.   Do they yet truly understand it?   Not really I think, since they apply this restoration solely to Israel.  They have yet to see the broader scope of Christ’s action.} 

But see how Jesus answers them. “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ 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.”

Do you see how he doesn’t tell them “none of your business, that’s God’s deal.  But instead says, it’s not for you to know this time that God has set in place.  BUT you are going to receive power and then be my witnesses not only Jerusalem but beyond to the whole world.   He expands their understanding while promising that there is more to come.   That despite not knowing when this full restoration will occur, they have a task to do in the whole world, and a helper of power. 

And then he ascends

 After promising this gift of power and expanding their vision Christ ascends. 

He’s lifted up.  A cloud obscures him from their sight.

Then two men in white stand with them, reminding them that he will return.  “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

I still have a hard time you know.  To see Christ, someone they love, disappear.  I can understand them gazing up.  It’s not something that happens everyday you know?  I’d stare for a while too.  But I’d be sad.  Cuz someone I loved has gone away!

Filled with joy 

But Luke tells us this: ⁵² And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple blessing God.

They were happy! Actually joy is more than happiness you know? Joy has a depth to it that happiness lacks.   Though that joy surprises me. 

That joy begs some questions from me.  Do you suppose it’s because those men in white told them Jesus would be coming back? Or do you think it’s that they saw their larger purpose and knew that somehow they would get the power to do it?  Or perhaps it’s that they know that someday things will be restored?

What caused their great joy?  I suppose it could be any and yet all of those ideas eh?  Perhaps the presence of those men was enough to calm their spirits and set them to their purpose.  Perhaps it was the worship of God that caused their great joy.  I rather like that idea you know?   But honestly, we can’t really tell exactly from the bible what caused their joy.   Bible.org gives us some explanation for their joy.   This article gave me food for thought. 

A personal connection

Pondering the great joy of the disciples after Jesus’ ascension and all that it could possibly mean reminds me of the following:

• Praising God produces joy.  Have you ever noticed that when you pray praising God, or sing songs of worship meaningfully, that your joy in the Lord deepens? 
• Seeing ones purpose in the kingdom produces joy.  Having purpose, particularly purpose that has eternal consequence is a joy producing thing. 
• Remembering the battle is already won produces joy.  The battle is no longer ours to fuss over.  God won the battle for us already, skirmishes are all that is left. 
• Remembering that one day Christ will return in a thing of joy. Hope for the future which makes the occasional blackness of the present bearable. 

This all, this all is so good to hold on to you know?