Why Do You Stand Gazing Up To Heaven?

A Sunday School teacher was concerned what her children might be learning about Jesus and so she asked “Where is Jesus today?’ Johnny raised his hand and said “He is in heaven.” Mary stood up and said “He is in my heart.” On one end, Robert, was waving his hand furiously and said “I know! I Know! He is in our bathroom!” The teacher was completely at a loss and cautiously asked Robert how he knew this. Well, Robert said “every morning when my father gets up he bangs on the bathroom door and yells “Jesus Christ, are you still in there?”

Of course we know where Jesus is today but if all I share with you this morning is just about his resurrection in isolation of the cross and the Lord’s imminent return, I would be doing you a gross injustice.

First of all, Jesus had to die before he could rise again. Just outside the “Sheep gate” on the Northern side of the city of Jerusalem, is the place believed to be Calvary. Criminals were crucified there by the Roman Government. It was an extreme form of punishment meant to break the will of the people. But on a Friday afternoon in the Spring of AD 29, an innocent sinless man was crucified.

Pontius Pilate knew that very well when he sentenced Jesus. Jesus hung on the cross and was bleeding to death. Earlier, he was flogged and beaten repeatedly. A crown of thorns ripped through the skin on his head and great drops of blood rolled down his body. He was humiliated by being stripped of his clothing and counted along with the thieves. Those that passed by cried out “He saved others, now let him save himself if he is God.” Others laughed and spit at him. Death was slow but sure. It is believed that some strong men hung for a couple of days before they died. The Romans were so wicked that when day light faded, the bodies were burned alive to serve as lamps by night for those who used the busy road in front of them. Our Savior was beaten so badly that he did not last more than 3 hours

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It is true Jesus died on a cruel and ugly cross. But the cross which was a symbol of shame, death and cruelty has become for us a symbol of power and strength. But death could not hold him and the grave could not keep him.

It seems pretty surprising that in spite of tight security around the tomb, the body of Jesus disappeared. The soldiers and the Chief Priests could not figure that out and presumed the body was stolen.

But what is more surprising is that believers themselves had problems. Mary Magdalene thought the body was stolen because she said “They have taken away my Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.” Peter and John who showed up a little later were also disappointed when they saw an empty tomb.

Like millions of people since then, I too went there about 25 years ago and guess what? All I saw was an empty tomb! And if you go today, you too will see only an empty tomb! The resurrection of Jesus is undeniable and the celebration of Easter is great but my focus this morning is to prepare you for what is to come.

The bible tells us that forty days after Jesus arose several people gathered at the Mt of Olives watched him go up into heaven in the clouds. Two Angels who stood by, looking at the surprised faces said,

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand here gazing up into heaven. This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so comeback again in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven”(Acts 1:9 cf) Since then many generations have come and gone. People have lived and died doing their own thing as many continue to do till this day. I hope you are different. I hope you have been watching and waiting. In the first book of Thessalonians ch. 4 vs.16 Paul says:

" For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then those who are living will be gathered up with those who died and together they will meet the Lord in the air."

I know this sounds wonderful and for sure it is but spending eternity with the Lord is not a game of musical chairs. We must first meet our Lord at the cross and surrender to his grace and authority. All of us are fallen sinners and without his precious blood we would be lost forever. Thank God for the blood of Jesus. Oh, the blood of Jesus, Oh, the blood of Jesus that washes white as snow.