It’s unfortunate that evangelicals rarely speak of the Ascension or Pentecost. Both these events, taking place within ten days of each other, are major events for the Christian church.
I remember being asked at my first Pentecost celebration in Romania, “What is Pentecost like in America?” When I said “We don’t celebrate Pentecost,” their mouths dropped open.
When we fail to speak of the Ascension and Pentecost, we are left wondering why Jesus left us here. Why did Jesus leave the earth after his Resurrection? Why did he not remain until he had established his earthly kingdom? Why not end the world then and there?
Scripture gives many reasons why Jesus left, but two answers will suffice:
#1. In order that the Gospel would be preached to ALL nations
Acts 1:8 lays out the disciples’ mission, culminating in the Gospel being preached to the world. Israel was God’s chosen people. The Old Testament is about God’s dealings with Israel. It tells about the covenant that God made with Abraham, with Moses, with David. It tells the history of Israel’s kingdom. It shows how Israel was supposed to be the light of the world and a beacon of blessing to the surrounding nations.
Now, with the resurrection of Jesus, everything had changed. Israel was no longer the sole possessor of the title: “God’s people.” The entire world was about to be blessed through Abraham’s seed. The “promised land” was longer a piece of real estate in Palestine. The whole world would be renewed and the new earth that God promised his people would become the “promised land.”
Israel was to be the bearer of salvation for the world. The entire world would be blessed through Israel’s righteousness. But what happens when the people called to be the world’s salvation wind up being part of the problem?
It’s like a semi-truck leading people up a mountain, but then actually getting stuck in such a way as to block off all traffic. Instead of being the way for salvation to be achieved, Israel becomes part of the problem. Sin continues. Death lingers. Israel fails. Exile takes place.
And then comes Jesus. He does what Israel couldn’t do. And because he fulfills God’s purpose for Israel, the Gospel message about his death and resurrection will now be preached to all nations. The truck isn’t stuck anymore. More than that, God is creating a new Israel, a new people for Himself. He is grafting Gentiles, those who are not Israelites nationally, onto the Israel tree. Now, membership in the people of God is open to all, Jew and Gentile alike.
This was revolutionary in the first century. It meant that the doors to God’s Kingdom had been thrown open to the whole world. Anyone who trusts in Jesus – anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved! Jew or Gentile. God’s people are centered around Jesus. Not the Torah. Not Sabbath. Not circumcision. Not good works. Jesus is the center of our faith. And once people begin to trust in God, from all nations, God begins to reverse the curse that came from sin.
#2. In order that the Holy Spirit would come.
John 16:7-11. The second reason that Jesus left was that the Holy Spirit would come and do one thing in three ways. He will come to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.
The Holy Spirit’s task is to convict people of their sin. It’s not our job to rub people’s noses in their sin. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings that heavenly guilt to a person, a guilt that can only be answered in the Gospel!
The Holy Spirit will begin convincing people, not only that they have sinned as individuals, but that the world’s way of justice is totally upside down. God’s Kingdom is different. God has vindicated Jesus by raising him from the dead and exalting him, and though people might pass judgment on Christians, it’s actually a sign that the world is bent in the wrong way.
The world thinks it can condemn Christians and pass judgment on us. And indeed, people do that. But ultimately, the Holy Spirit will overturn the judgment of this world. We will be vindicated. We are in the right and the world will be proven wrong. Though now, we are condemned by this world and Jesus is rejected, the day will come when those who condemn us will receive God’s judgment.
written by Trevin Wax © 2007 Kingdom People blog
