Pastor Tom Johnson, May 16, 2021
Jesus made the bold confession before Pontius Pilate that he is the King. But he tells Pilate that his Kingdom is not of this world. His reign extends beyond the borders of Israel. Jesus’ domain is over heaven and earth. They mocked Jesus by putting the sign, “Jesus, King of the Jews” over him when they crucified him. But God gets the last laugh when he conquers death and rises from the dead. And now it is time to establish his dominion. Jesus spends his entire earthly ministry explaining the Kingdom of God. He teaches the meaning and nature of his reign through parables, stories, and illustrations.
Jesus gives us a vision of the Kingdom of God—a Kingdom without fear, violence, sadness, or death—a Kingdom of peace—a Kingdom whose reign extends from Jerusalem—to everywhere on the face of the earth—a Kingdom without political corruption, favoritism, racism, and ethnic distinction—a Kingdom with one anointed King who will rule from generation to generation forever—a kingdom of restored relationships, forgiveness, and life.
Now the disciples ask Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus gathers them outside of Jerusalem—the earthly kingdom’s capitol city—it only seems natural to ask when he will finally ascend the throne—“Lord, is now the time?” “When are you finally going to enter Jerusalem and remove the Roman occupation, Jesus? How long will people suffer injustice, hunger, and violence? When will you begin to establish permanent peace and justice for all humanity?” they wonder.
This is the same question many of us ask—in one way or another—all over the world. When will there be an end to conflict between the nations and peoples? When will senseless shootings stop? When will this global pandemic be over? When will natural disasters stop happening? When will Jesus make all things new—in heaven and on earth? When will we finally be healed of all diseases and even death itself? There is within all of us a deep yearning for a world of order, harmony, peace, and health. This yearning is a universal recognition that the world is not what it should be—that we live in a broken and sinful world that needs healing and renewal.
This is what God has promised in the Kingdom of God—that we will right every wrong and wipe the tears from all our eyes. The disciples want that world to be now. They want Jesus to ascend to the throne of that Kingdom now. Jesus does not challenge our desire for the Kingdom of God. In fact, that is how he teaches us to pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus does not challenge our desire for a renewed and better world. He challenges us to be a part of its renewal. He invites us to extend his reign.
“It’s not for you to know times and periods…” Jesus says, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In other words, in response to their question—“Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?—Jesus’ answer is, “No, this is not the time when I will restore the kingdom to Israel. This is the time when you will join with me in extending the kingdom to the world.”
The ascension is about Jesus taking his place at right hand of God the Father. He is with us and creation in greater way. The ascension is also about taking our place to help extend his Kingdom to the whole world. He calls us to be his witnesses. He says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” We are his witnesses by his grace. We are his Kingdom ambassadors by his strength. We are part of the ministry of the King by the Holy Spirit who extends his Kingdom reign everywhere. We have the privilege—as citizens of a heavenly Kingdom to extend his reign over all the earth. Jesus does not ascend into Jerusalem to restore the greatness of this city or nation alone. Jesus ascends to the Father to restore the whole world—to bring the Kingdom to Jerusalem, yes, but also to the surrounding region of Judea, the neighboring country of Samaria, and to all nations and peoples.
The Ascension of our Lord is also not about Jesus leaving the earth and going to heaven. It is about Jesus ascending his rightful place where he rules over both heaven and earth. Jesus is as close as ever. He says as he ascends, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” It’s from that position of authority that he extends his loving reign to all the world. And so we proclaim Jesus’ victory over guilt, condemnation, death, and the grave. We have witnessed restored relationships, forgiveness, and eternal life. The ascended King works to extend these Kingdom realities and gifts to us and to the whole world now—one person at a time.
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