Monday, May 18, 2015
Acts 1:9 ... as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
BY A ROAD BEFORE UNTROD
Last Thursday something wonderful happened. As Jesus was talking with His disciples near Bethany, He was lifted up and ascended into heaven. The disciples were stunned until it was explained to them what had happened. What would happen next? Surely much of the next ten days was spent reviewing what had happened and making plans for their future witnessing. But did they have any idea of what would occur on Pentecost? It was not necessary.
Looking back, Jesus' ascension was as unexpected to them as His resurrection had been. That He had risen was at first unbelievable to them. That He would ascend was unimaginable! It was "a road before untrod."
When Jesus raised the young man at Nain, He gave him back to his mother. The young man went back to the same life he had enjoyed before. He is no longer with us today.
When Jesus restored the life of the daughter of Jairus, he told her parents to give her something to eat. She had the same needs as before. She is no longer with us today.
When Jesus called Lazarus from his four-day tomb, Lazarus needed help to get out of the grave-wrappings. He is no longer with us today.
But when Jesus rose from His three-day tomb, He needed no help getting into locked rooms. He used food only to identify Himself. It was not the same humble life He had lived before. And He did not die again! He is still with us today, even to the end of the age!
A hymn of glory let us sing;
New songs throughout the world shall ring: Alleluia!
Christ, by a road before untrod,
Ascendeth to the throne of God. Alleluia!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 212:1)
