The Great Blessing of Ascension Day

Dear reader, the Day of Ascension is between Easter and Pentecost. It is the day that we commemorate the departure of the Lord Jesus Christ from this earth to heaven. We read in John 6 how His disciples were murmuring when He spoke to them about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Then He is asking them: “Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?” (verses 60b&61).

They did not yet understand the real meaning of Ascension Day, but, dear reader, do we? Oh, how do we need light upon every step in His humiliation as well as in His exaltation, whereby we need to learn that in His steps of humiliation He is earning salvation and in the steps of His exaltation He is applying salvation. That is why we read, “Yea rather, that is risen again…” (Romans 8:34b). What a difficult time it was for Christ’s disciples when He had to end His life, hanging on the cross. Oh, who could ever think that it would go that way? Yet, it was clearly foretold to them while He was with them. Then they opposed it which, dear reader, is a clear indication of our ignorance regarding the ways of the Lord with His children. He had to go to prepare a place for them, but their heart was troubled. They had no light into it, but He explained it to them: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (John 14:1-4). Then, upon the question of Thomas, we do hear the wellknown words, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6b).

Very precious words, dear reader. Did He become your Way already? Oh, realize this is the narrow way—a way whereupon the daily mortification of the flesh must take place—a hidden way until He Himself brings one from the broad way upon that narrow way. Such a one will be able to tell how that went. That happens by Word and Spirit. That happened in the life of His disciples just by the words “Follow Me”: then there follows a farewell to former friends. There comes a deep-felt shame about their former life. They never will forget the places where they had to cry out, “Against Thee, a holy, righteous and good-doing God, have I sinned.” Oh, dear reader, that true sorrow, that true repentance goes before any spiritual joy. Yet, how remarkable, with all their grief and sorrow, they do not want to exchange it with anything of this world. Their spiritual happiness is of greater value than any other thing on this earth. Never will they forget the places and times where they received from the Lord the freedom to call upon the name of a holy, a righteous, and a good-doing God.

Is there Christ? Listen, dear reader and fellow-traveler to eternity. Before we get to know anything of this Second Person, we will learn something of the first Person who is their Judge. We read in the Bible, “…ye believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1b). We do have a fear that thousands speak about a Christ for whom there was never made any room or place in their life because it does not begin with Christ (Romans 10:4). However, when knowledge is given of this precious Mediator, then the Law has received satisfaction. Oh, beloved office bearers, when visiting our members, try to listen carefully where, when, and how they were brought to an end; there comes a time in the life of God’s child that it is impossible not only from their side but also from God’s side. There it is that they agree, not with their salvation but with their condemnation. They will never forget such a time. It is a statement of those exercised ones, “Before the knowledge of the Second Person it still can go in two directions…”

Beloved reader, you are still in the time of grace and under the means of grace. Oh, it is true; it is a one-sided work, and this will never change. Several times the early immigrants told us about their experiences when they came across the ocean, when not having our own churches they attended already existing churches, but it was disappointing. So, we were better? No, not at all; but in regard to the truth, different.

Ascension Day will bring the Church home. “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). People of God, do you hear this? That is His will expressed to the Father. Will that be declined? No, dear reader, that is impossible. Read this whole chapter.

In conclusion: My unconverted reader, young, middleaged, or older but still in the time of grace and under the means of grace, oh, implore this God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost for your personal conversion. Be, or become and remain, a beggar at the throne of His grace. You can lose nothing by it and gain everything through it. People of the Lord, “Why me when so many others are passed by?” It is free and sovereign grace only. Oh, acknowledge Him day and night. A few steps more and you will be where no inhabitant will say, “I am sick.” Read your future in Psalm 31:19 which is our closing. “Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!”

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