The were shut....for fear of the Jews; "1 and if secrecy was desirable then, it was now much more so. last glorious display was not intended for malicious Pharisees, for unbelieving Sadducees and Scribes. Evidence enough had been given to them, and more would hereafter be added. The public ministry of Jesus ended with his great Sacrifice; and what remains of earthly intercourse shall be devoted exclusively to his friends. He therefore "led them out" from Jerusalem," as far as to Bethany.". It has been argued, that this could not be the town of Martha and Mary-because that Bethany was two miles from Jerusalem; whereas the Apostles are said to have returned from this sight, only 66 a sabbath day's journey" - that is to say, one mile. But why may we not suppose, that he first visited the town of Bethany, even if he did afterwards return part of the way, before he ascended up to heaven? The supposition is far from being improbable; and, if such were the fact, what a touching circumstance was here! He cannot forget Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus ! Whom he loveth, 66 he loveth unto the end: "3 and as they are to see him no more, they shall be of those who see him the last. It is one of the manifold proofs of the Saviour's kind affection. Love him, brethren, as that pious family did, and you shall see greater things than this. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his covenant.” 4 66 2. He solemnly blesses his Disciples.—He had by his deeds been blessing them, from the first moment of their acquaintance with him; for he had converted their souls, and had instructed them in the things relating to his kingdom. But he now does it by an express outward act. With uplifted hands, he calls 3 John xiii. 1. 4 Psalm xxv. 14. 1 John xx. 19. 2 Acts i. 12. on his Father to protect, comfort, sanctify, and prosper them. If you would know what gifts that blessing included, you may see them fully enumerated in John xvii : he could ask no greater-he would ask no less-than are there recorded. "Neither prayed he for these alone, but for them also which should afterwards believe on him, through their word."1 Happy believer! who can by faith see those hands of love still stretched over him, and apply to himself the Saviour's blessing! May such be your privilege and mine: for I wot that he whom thou, Lord, blessest, is blessed indeed.-At length, 3. He ascends up to heaven. Here was no imposition! St. Luke in another place tells us, that the act was done" while they beheld." -My text describes the circumstantial order of the event. "He was parted from them"-literally, "he stood aside from them;" both to prevent interruption, and that all might see the whole transaction. Then ." he was carried up;" moving towards heaven in full view of the whole party, till, at length, "a cloud received him out of their sight." Carried? by whom? By hosts of invisible beings-" angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word." 3 For now was fulfilled that which was spoken of the Lord by David-" The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive." Doubtless, there were angels assisting on the occasion; for we find two of them returning in visible form, to comfort the disciples with a promise, that he would hereafter come again in like manner from heaven. 5 As, therefore, we believe that he rose 1 John xvii. 20. 4 Psa. lxviii. 17, 18. 3 Psa. ciii. 20. 2 Acts i. 9. 5 Acts i. 11. from the dead, so also do we believe that he is "gone into heaven.... angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." 1 I have one more remark on this head. It came to pass, while he blessed them, he was taken up." Did his ascension, then, interrupt and cut short the blessing? No; he still continued to bless as he went up. No-nor is the blessing yet at an end: for this is that Christ, who, as St. Paul says, " is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for His intercession, therefore, is still proceeding; though "clouds have received him out of our sight." May it avail for us-to make us his friends on earth, his companions in glory!-Observe now us. II. THE FIRST ACTS OF THE REDEEMED AFTER HIS DEPARTURE. 1. They worshipped him.-Remember that! The appointed teachers of the Christian religion "worshipped" Christ—it was their very first act, after they had ceased to behold him. And do not suppose that it was merely some respectful inclination of the bodysuch as is meant in our Marriage service,3 No-it was holy Adoration, as to the invisible God; and accompanied, doubtless, by such words as Thomas was once permitted to use without censure— My Lord, and my God!" Had they given such honour to the two angels, they would have met with a rebuke like that which St. John afterwards received under similar circumstances "See thou do it not!.... worship God!" 5 But in worshipping Jesus, they did worship God; and were therefore blameless. Who then are they, that 1 1 Pet. iii. 22. 2 Rom. viii. 34. 4 John xx. 28. would rob us of our hope, 3. With my body I thee worship.' 5 Rev. xxii. 8, 9. by pretending that Jesus was but a man like ourselves? Brethren, be on your guard against such deceivers! If Christ be not God, how can he save? how can he make reconciliation? how can he judge the world? how can he deliver from hell? "But we have not so learned Christ." We will yet adore him, whom "all the angels of God worship." • Thou art the king of glory, O Christ!''-our almighty Saviour-our Divine Redeemer!-But to return to the disciples 2. They were filled with joy-great joy. Oh how different from what they had once anticipated!" Now I go my way to him that sent me; and because I say this, sorrow hath filled your heart." But now, when he does this, they are "filled with joy." Whence this difference? It was because Jesus had now opened their understanding, to discern the mystery of his sufferings and his glory. The Comforter, moreover, I am inclined to believe, was immediately sent down, with his sanctifying influences; although for his miraculous gifts they had yet to wait ten days longer. Now therefore they rejoiced, First, On their Lord's account. "If ye loved me," he had said, "ye would rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father."3 And this their joy is now fulfilled. Loving Christ with perfect love, they rejoice that his humiliation is endedhis warfare accomplished-his work finished—his crown won-his throne ascended. They rejoice, Secondly, On their own account. All was now plain in the system of that redemption, concerning which they had long formed such erroneous expectations. They now saw it to be far better, that he should reign unseen for them, than dwell visibly among them. They knew that he was "ascended to his Father and their Father, 1 Te Deum. 2 John xvi. 5, 6. 3 John xiv. 28. them 66 to his God and their God."1 And how could they but rejoice, that he was gone to prepare a place for " also ?-Brethren! have you no sympathy with this "great joy?" If you have, I need say no more to excite your thankfulness. If not, I can tell you the cause. Christ is not yours; you have not yet chosen, loved, followed him! Yet even now it is not too late. You may yet seek and enjoy his love; and then like these disciples, you will indeed think it blessed news, that "him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." 3 3. In the use of appointed Means, they sought and expected his gifts of grace. In Jerusalem were they to receive the " promise of the Father; "therefore they at once returned thither. On their arrival, behold them "continually in the temple, praising and blessing God!" continually-that is, at every appointed service. Surrounded as they were by formal and ignorant worshippers, how different their views, hopes, and feelings!-Yet such, brethren, as theirs were-such, by divine grace, may yours also be. What though others gain no blessing in public worship, in hearing the word, in the holy Communion; yet this need not be the case with you. Only look up to the Lord of the temple, and he will make it a Bethel to your soul. "In the breaking of bread" Jesus himself shall be "known of you,' ,"5 if by faith you seek him. Oh then, "enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." 6 1 John xx. 17. 4 Acts i. 4. 2 John xiv. 2. 3 Acts v. 31. |