January 7, 2018
Scripture:
Hymn 342 – Jesus came from Heaven
Prayer
We’ve been looking at parts of the Lord’s life surrounding the cross. Jesus left Heaven, was born in a manger, grew up, was baptized at thirty years old, taught and healed people for three years, died on the cross, was resurrected, was on earth for forty days, and then ascended back to Heaven. Ten days later, the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. Today, let’s look at the story of the ascension.
Luke 24:50. Jesus ascended back to Heaven from Bethany; not far from Jerusalem. Imagine how the disciples must have felt. Jesus had been teaching them for three years, and they thought that He was going to set up an earthly kingdom. Now He was leaving them!
Bethany was a precious place to the Lord. It was the home of His friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He had been on earth for forty days after the resurrection, and led His disciples out to this special spot and lifted His hands to bless them. As He did so, they would have seen the scars in His hands. It was a tender moment. Jesus was leaving them, but He would never forsake them. We need the Lord’s blessing in our lives.
V. 51-53. As Jesus blessed His disciples, He rose out of sight. The disciples praised and blessed God. Acts 1:8-9 mentions that Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. He then ascended, and a cloud took Him out of sight. A couple of angels appeared, and told the disciples, “Don’t just stand there and stare. One day He’s going to come back!” That is still to happen!
I wonder what things were like on the other side of that cloud. God the Father had sent His Son to do a hard and difficult task: accomplishing salvation. Jesus had left the glories of Heaven, been born in a manger, grew up, and died. He did this because He wanted to save us from Hell, and have us forever in Heaven. All our sins must be washed away for us to enter Heaven, and Jesus made this desire of His Father possible. What was it like when they were reunited? It makes us think of the Prodigal Son’s father, who ran, hugged his Son, gave him a new robe, shoes, and a ring. Jesus’ completed work has allowed God to do this for us.
We do get a few glimpses of what Jesus re-entering Heaven may have been like. Psalm 110:1. God has given Jesus the place of honour and glory because of all that He had done.
Psalm 16:11. God the Father honoured Jesus for all that He had done in providing salvation for us, and bringing joy to Heaven. That is the other side of the ascension. Now we wait for His return!
James 2:13-26
James brings out the law so much. We have the royal law and the law of liberty. A law usually calls for works. God’s law demands righteousness we don’t have. But several things mentioned in the chapter don’t always have the same meaning. Moses’ law demanded something, but the law of liberty supplies what we need to do. The law gave a clear picture of what God expects. Verse thirteen speaks about judgment which is what the law does with out mercy. This passage sounds like it could have some contradictions in it. We all know “by grace are ye saved by faith”. He talks about faith for salvation and faith for the path. We have the “just shall live by faith” in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38. It takes faith to live, and we are justified by faith. The beginning chapters of Romans speak of faith. Hebrews eleven talks of faith as it is lived out and not as salvation. It’s the faith that’s manifested in a life that endures. So, faith is used in different ways, and these passages aren’t contradictory. But James also brings out the need for faith even after salvation. It’s to be manifested in us. Living by faith is works. This is different from Romans where we are accounted righteous by faith. A man who says he has faith is tested by what he does. Faith shows signs of life. We can’t add anything to the work already done to save our souls, but faith should be manifested by our works, shown by the things we do. Faith that has God as its object will do works differently; they’re not just “good deeds”. It shows how we are more like Christ. We have the parable of the people who will say to God, “Didn’t we do all these good things in Your name” and still be turned away. Our works are the result of a true saving faith. Works don’t bring salvation. We rest on a finished work, but it should be manifested through works. Mr. Ravi Zacharias explains this as an equation - not faith + works = salvation, but faith = salvation + works. Darby translates verse eighteen as “But some one will say Thou hast faith and I have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and I from my works will shew thee my faith”. Devils believe, but don’t have a saving faith. Atheists have faith, but not in the right place. The devils tremble at the thought of God. There is a difference between believing in a God and believing in God.
Hymn 10 - Faith is a very simple thing
Prayer