His Coronation In Glory

“His Coronation in Glory”

Luke 24:50-53

Luke 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Introduction: Jesus stayed on earth for 40 days after His resurrection instead of ascending immediately into heaven to demonstrate to His followers that He truly was alive. The disciples knew the Roman authorities had put Jesus to death and that His body had been taken down from the cross and sealed in a tomb. And when that happened, they were filled with despair and fear; many even went into hiding. They had believed Jesus was the promised Messiah – and now their hopes were shattered. They had forgotten His promise that He would return from the grave, and they felt they had no future. But when Jesus appeared among them after the resurrection, their lives were changed. The greatest miracle in all history had just taken place: Jesus Christ was alive! During those 40 days, He appeared to various groups of disciples, proving beyond doubt to them that he had been raised from the dead by the power of God. Over two decades later, the Apostle Paul wrote the following in, 1 Corinthians 15:3

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

Another reason, however, why Jesus stayed on earth then was to teach His disciples, and prepare them for the task of telling the world about Christ. BillyGraham.org

I. The Ascent into Heaven

50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

a. The place of His ascent

Our text indicates that Jesus led His followers to Mt. Olivet which would have allowed Him to see His beloved Bethany and Jerusalem. Olivet was the place where Jesus had delivered His sermon on the mount. I hope you will allow me a little latitude to speculate on who might have been among the 500 plus witnesses who saw Jesus “carried” into heaven. Most certainly his mother Mary and his brethren who now believed on him; I can see the little family from Bethany, Mary, Martha and their beloved Lazarus whom Jesus called forth from the grave after his body had been decomposing 4 days; the disciples and many who had believed on him like Joseph and Nicodemus who buried his body; Mary of Magdala who he had cast out seven devils and many others the good Master had helped during his time on earth. There would the blind who could now see, the lame who could now walk, the deaf who could now hear, the lepers who could now walk among their fellows again and worship at the Temple and maybe, just maybe there would a Roman centurion who had declared that “truly, this man was the Son of God,” or maybe even Malchus the servant of the high priest who’s ear Jesus had healed. We don’t know for sure be what a wonderful privipedge to be at Olivet with him when he went back to glory.

b. The purpose of His ascent

Why would Jesus leave in the hour of His greatest triumph? Why would He say that it was “expedient” for Him to return to heaven? Thankfully we have the answer in His own words…

John 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.