Forty days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven. The Biblical account says from Acts 1: 9-11 that and when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.
Jesus Christ was taken up into heaven from the village of Bethany near Jerusalem and this fact is a witness’ account. Jesus was taken up in the presence of his eleven remaining disciples excluding Judas who committed suicide by hanging himself after betraying Jesus with a kiss. Why was Jesus Christ taken up into heaven and in the presence of his disciples?
Fulfillment of Jesus’ promise
Jesus Christ in his lifetime said to his disciples in John 14: 2-3, in my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you myself, that where I am you may be also. Jesus Christ had to fulfill his promise to his disciples who knew him as truthful. Jesus’ ascension was thus in accord with his earlier promise that he would go back to his home in heaven to prepare for his own on account of their devotion and faithfulness in support of his mission of redemption.
How many of us fulfill our promises in truth? How many of us reciprocate or show appreciation for the sacrifices we receive from others? The crown reward awaits only those who will be faithful to the end at the Lord’s coming. Revelation 2: 10 says be ye faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life. Judas fell out because he was not faithful till the end. Jesus said in Luke 9:62 no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. Judas looked back to embrace the world whilst he was with Jesus hence he missed the fulfillment of the graceful promise just like many of us would miss.
Time to draw men unto himself
Jesus Christ said in John 12: 32 and when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. In the calendar of heaven, it was time for Jesus Christ to have sweet fellowship with the world whom he had redeemed with his blood spiritually. It was time to present the world to the Father as a mission accomplished. It was time to establish a permanent link with the world through him in heaven. It was time to secure mankind from or above the world with his heavenly protection.
How many of us retain relationships with those down the ladder when we are elevated in life? Do we draw our loved ones from danger when we have the opportunity to do so? Do we protect our own when we are enhanced in status? Do we share our successes and honour with those we love even if they contributed nothing to our successes? Jesus’ statement was to all men, meaning the whole world. To Jesus, he promised salvation to all men who believed in him and accepted him as Lord. Do we want to be lifted up by Jesus Christ unto himself so we would share his presence of grace, mercy and love?
Time to account to God
Accountability cannot be ignored anywhere. Jesus Christ accepted to undertake a mission of redemption and at the end of that successful mission he had to account to God who sent him. Jesus said to Mary at his tomb site in John 20: 17 do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father, but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. It was necessary for Jesus Christ to personally account to God before the host of heaven.
We are unable to imagine what glorious moment that occasion would have been in heaven when Jesus Christ returned to heaven to account for his stewardship with the nail prints in his hands and feet and the wound in his side. The extent of rejoicing, sweet trumpet sounds, harmonious heavenly choirs, the warm embrace, the thunderous jubilation, the ambience of holiness; the lights of lights, the decorated streets of gold, the pomp of heavenly coronation of a deserving heavenly king of all times. Are we ready to account for our stewardship to God?
Time to receive his crown
2 Timothy 2: 5 says an athlete is not crowned unless he completes according to the rules. Jesus had successfully completed the race and deserved his crown above all crowns and for this is ascended to account for. Paul also speaking for himself said in 2 Timothy 4: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also all who have loved his appearing.
Jesus said in Revelation 2: 10 be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. The crown is earned upon assessment at death and by no other but Jesus Christ just as he went through. Revelation 3: 11 also says I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. It is possible to lose our crowns if we are not vigilant or resilient in faith and work. Jesus Christ ascended to heaven from earth to receive his well deserving crown. Will we also receive a crown and if so what type?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, as you are lifted up from earth to heaven to be with the Father, please draw us unto yourself that we may also partake of your heavenly blessings. Keep us by your side that where you are, we may be also. Let your grace keep us alert unto righteousness so we may qualify for heaven when you come again to take your elect away. In your precious holy name we pray, Amen!!
