e⋅piph⋅a⋅ny -noun
- sudden perception, realization.
I love those rare, electrifying moments of illumination when the brain fires and births a new perception. The forefront of our mind connects to something tucked in the deep recesses and draws it into our awareness. A new thought is born.
That's what happened to me as I meditated on the Ascension. Imagine the most profound visual effects of a sunburst in the cosmos when Jesus blasted through the atmosphere and returned to rejoicing angels and a waiting Father.
But I digress for that was not the thought I intended to convey. It's just added imagery that's occurring as I tap on these lettered keys.
This particular epiphany is regarding Jesus as the Son of Man. Jesus was born to earth from heaven in the incarnation as the Son of God. Could it be that He was reborn to heaven from earth in the ascension as the Son of Man?
When I say Son of God, be careful to understand that I am not referring to the essence of God that is the Son of the Trinity from eternity.
"Son of Man" is a phrase that teaches us and helps us remember that Jesus can identify with our humanity. I am wondering if there is an added dimension that I have never quite grasped of Jesus as Son of Man. I have always assumed that it was a name given to Him that refers to the fact that He was born of Mary and that He was a descendant of Adam. What if it's more than a title or name but an attribute? Something He attained?
Is it possible that He truly became the Son of Man when He returned in glory, resurrected, to the Father? When He ascended from earth, reborn into the eternity of the heavens, did He become the fulfillment of this essence?
Oh, the riches.....Oh, the depth....Oh, the complex intrigue of our Savior and our God! Who can fathom the mysteries of God? Who can probe the limits of the Almighty? [Jb 11:7]
"But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."[Lk 22:69]
More good news of Jesus Christ is given to us here in these verses. The Good News of Jesus began with an angel's pronouncement of His coming and it ends with one of Him leaving - temporarily. This was not to be "good-bye." It is merely a "see you later."
Until then, we are not to stand staring into heaven. Watching, yes. Waiting, yes. But surely not standing still gazing at the clouds.
He has given us very specific instructions. He has given us all a part to live out faithfully. And as we do, we rememeber the events that surround the basis for the Easter holiday. We memorialize the One Who Lives.
Weekly we celebrate the Christ by observing the communion He instituted. This was given that we will proclaim Him until He returns. We remember and celebrate the promises and deeds of His life, death, and resurrection. By it we look forward in hope and assurance to that glorious day when we will share the cup with Him Who Gave It All for eternity.
For whenever you eat this breadand drink this cup,you proclaim the Lord's deathuntil he comes.
"The bottom line is that approving opinions about Jesus' life miss the point unless married to joyous belief in His resurrection. Reverence, however sincere, for a dead Christ, however noble, will do nothing for a sinner headed toward a lost eternity." Stuart Briscoe
"and if Christ has not been raised,your faith is worthless;you are still in your sins."[1 Cor 15:17]
".....knowing that all was now completed....."[Jn 19:28 emph added, partial]
Completed.
All was completed in its entirety.
The work of redemption done.
All He came to do, all He came to suffer was over.
Everything that had been planned, everything that had been foretold had come to pass in complete and perfect obedience to the Father.
Jesus said, "It is finished."[Jn 19:30 partial]
"Tetelestai"
Aramaic translation; "It is finished."
Accomplished.
Salvation acquired and secured.
Nothing more is left to be done. Need proof?
Look no further than the thief on the neighboring cross.
Jesus did not give him a list of requirements; deeds to perform perfectly; rites of passage to fulfill. No new commands were given. They'd already been spoken.
With His last breath He declared victory; "It is finished." Words of comfort and encouragement - for Him and for us.
He declared the debt of sin paid in full.
The penalty of sin is satisfied completely.
The requirement of the law has been fulfilled.
The perfect sacrifice made. The Lamb of God had taken away the sins of the world just as John the Baptist prophecied.
With that,
he bowed his head
and gave up his spirit
[Jn 19:30 emph added, partial]
Jesus gave up His life. He entrusted Himself into the hands of His God and Abba Father. His life was not taken - it was given. Freely of His own will and design. He chose to release His spirit.
All has been given. All has been done. Now He is waiting.
Waiting for your answer.
Will you pick up your cross and follow the way of our Lord? Will you be crucified with Him? Accept His offer of eternal fellowship? Nail your sins to the cross. Put that old sinful life to death. Give Him your spirit. Entrust your soul into His Hands. God is ready, willing, and able to extend His grace as it is written:
Since he did not spare
even his own Son
but gave him up for us all,
won’t He also give us everything else?
"The cross is a picture of violence, yet the key to peace, a picture of suffering, yet the key to healing, a picture of death, yet the key to life."~ David Watson
"This one event of the cross of Christ is the final revelation both of the character and consequence of human sin and of the wonder and sacrifice of divine love."~Alan Stibbs
"The cross is where God forgave His children without lowering His standards."
~Max Lucado
"The Biblical gospel of atonement is of God satisfying Himself by substituting Himself for us."
~John R. W. Stott
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' [Mk 14:12-14]
"Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!"[Pv 15:11]
This is what the LORD says:"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,who depends on flesh for his strengthand whose heart turns away from the LORD.[Jer 17:5]
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver.
[Is 49:2]
"...for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
~Jesus
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
[Heb 4:12]
Do you not knowthat your body is a templeof the Holy Spirit,who is in you,whom you have received from God?
"To wave a palm branch in first-century Palestine would be like waving the Stars and Stripes in colonial Boston or shouting "Remember the Alamo!" in old Texas."~Thomas G. Long
All glory, laud, and honor
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring;
Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David's royal Son,
Who in the Lord's name comest,
The King and blessed one!~Theodulph of Orleans
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
[Lk 29:37-38]
Continuing in our heart preparations leading up to Holy Week, let us consider the compassion of the Christ from the cross. Even then it was unceasing."A large number of people followed him, including
women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children."
- "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'"[Lk 23:34]
- "Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'"[Lk 23:43]
- "...he said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.'" [Jn 19:26-27]
- When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. [Jn 19:30]
If I experience the least discomfort, whether afflicted or inflicted pain, I'm consumed with self. Intently focused inward and hardly aware of anyone around me. Not Jesus, our Lord. His compassion is consistent. It is not based on conditions or circumstances. Here He hangs, suspended in the air on an instrument of torture, mocked and ridiculed, and yet.......
