“THE CLIMACTIC DEPARTURE OF THE RISEN CHRIST” ACTS 1:9-14

Before our Lord made His climactic departure, He gave His disciples indisputable evidence of His resurrection, for verse 3 says – “To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion (suffering) by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the thing pertaining to the kingdom of God.”  These curious disciples had readily put together God’s teaching of the  kingdom with His promise of the Spirit’s outpouring as an indication that David’s promised kingdom was about to be inaugurated (vs.4-5).  However, Jesus does not rebuke them but instructs them that it was not important for them to know what is a prerogative of the Father (vs. 6-7).  Nevertheless, instead of them being so kingdom minded, Jesus does instruct them to be witnesses for Him – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  From Acts 1:8, one can readily outline Christ’s commission to His disciples, for the geographical witness should start in Jerusalem (chapters 1-7); in Judea and Samaria (chapters 8-12); and unto the uttermost (chapters 13-28).

After forty days of ministering unto them, our blessed Lord ascended to heaven, there to be exalted at the right hand of God the Father (Heb. 1:3).  His ascension marked the conclusion of His earthly corporal presence among His disciples.  Accompanying His departure from them was the clear promise of His return (Acts 1:9-11).  The angles declared that He shall return bodily, visibly and personally.  During His second coming to the earth, our blessed Lord will come in great glory and splendor (Rev. 19:11-16).  At the Lord’s first coming, He faced untold suffering and disgrace.  At His second coming, He will receive honor as King.  He came the first time to die as man’s substitute for sin; however, during His second coming, He will come as Judge.  Yes, the very One that was despised and rejected of men (Isaiah 53:3), will come again in clouds and great glory to set up His millennial kingdom on earth.

In verses 12-14, the disciples gathered in one place, being united in prayer.  These disciples prayed in view of God’s promise that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter would come and endow them with power (Acts 1:5, 8).  As believers today in this age of grace, we have power to be witnesses for Christ.

If we are satisfied with what Christ has done for us, then we need to tell others about Jesus.  Through our faith in the finished work of Christ, Christ has rescued us from the depths of hell and has given us a standing before God – “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).  Yes, I am satisfied with Christ because His finished work on Calvary assures all believers that in the past they have been justified as to position; in the present, they are being sanctified experientially as they yield to the Holy Spirit; and one day they will be glorified.

The hymn writer declares –

I am satisfied with Jesus,
He has done so much for me:
He has suffered to redeem me,
He has died to set me free.

I am satisfied, I am satisfied,
I am satisfied with Jesus,
But the question comes to me,
As I think of Calvary,
Is my Master satisfied with me?

May God Bless!