SEEK 46 – Jesus on Earth
Question: Why didn’t God let Jesus stay on earth so that he could tell people about him?
Bible Reading: John 16:1-15
Text: “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7)
It sounds logical doesn’t it. Given what we have just seen in the past chapter about evangelism – would it not be so much easier if Jesus was here on earth? How many would flock to see him? The most people I have ever heard gathered to listen to someone speak was when Jordan Peterson came to Sydney in 2022. A sell-out crowd of 9,000 hung on his every word (and there were plenty of them!). Imagine what crowds we would draw if Jesus went on tour!
But that’s not what Jesus’ thought. In fact, he told the disciples, who I suspect did not immediately grasp how this could be true, that it would be better for them if he went away.
Why would it be better?
Let’s return to my going to hear Jordan Peterson at the Sydney Exhibition Centre. We got to see him, projected on a screen from a distance and to hear him. A lucky few got to ask him questions through the Slido technology. A handful got to go backstage and meet with him afterwards. I was thankful to be part of that handful. But he was limited in his time, in his body and mind (he was really tired). It was great to chat briefly with him, but he is not the Messiah!
Imagine if Jesus was like that? Limited to a human body on earth – only able to give a few minutes to a few people. Would we really want him to give access only to those who could afford the tickets?
The Ascension of Jesus is a much-neglected topic. Even for someone like me who has been a Christian for 45 years it was only a couple of years ago that I grasped something of the practical difference it makes. There are not many books I would regard as life changing – but Gerrit Scott Dawson’s Jesus Ascended was one such book. Amongst other things I learned the answers to the following questions:
- Is Jesus still human? Yes – he still has a human body. But it is a renewed body. A different kind of human body – one that we shall have. One that is free from the bondage to decay we currently experience. He doesn’t get tired or weary. As ‘Rabbi’ Duncan put it: “the dust of the earth sits on the throne of heaven”.
2) Where is he? Dawson cites Calvin’s wise comments.
“What? Do we place Christ midway among the spheres? Or do we build him a cottage among the planets? Heaven, we regard as the magnificent palace of God, far outstripping all this world’s fabric”. (Dawson p.40).
3) What is he doing? He is sending his word as the prophet; he is praying as our priest, and he is as our King. And he is with us. He is present with us through His Spirit. Where two or three are gathered he is there in the midst. When we gather in worship we can honestly stand up and tell people ‘Jesus is here…. Jesus is in the house!’. When we sit at his table, he is not absent – he is present with us – which is why the Lord’s Supper is so much more than a memorial to absent friends!
Another way to think of this is that he is giving us, his church, gifts. Paul cites Psalm 68:18 to the Ephesians to prove this – “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to people” (Ephesians 4:8).
As to your specific question witness. It is because he has given us these great gifts – his word, Spirit and Church, that we are able to bear witness to the end of the earth. He has not left us alone. He is present with us.
“We have gained in Christ more than we lost in Adam” (Dawson p.71). Let me add to that. We have gained more from Christ ascending than we would have if he had remained on earth.
Consider: Isn’t it an amazing – and to be honest sometimes quite scary – thought that Jesus is with us. He is not with us like a Zoom call. It’s far more than that. You don’t have to dial him up and wait until he answers. He is with us always. He’s not with us in a physical sense – it’s far better than that. He is with us by his Spirit, in his Church, word and sacraments. What are the practical implications of all of this for you if you are a believer? And if you are not a believer, why would you not want this?
Further Reading:
Jesus Ascended – Gerrit Scott Dawson
The Ascension: Humanity in the Presence of God by Tim Chester and Jonny Woodrow.
The Ascension of Christ – Patrick Schreiner
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, right before your Ascension into heaven you told your apostles to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth upon receiving the Holy Spirit. May I be similarly inspired to spread your Gospel message in word and deed, according to your will for me. And may I do so prudently and joyfully, with your help, your guidance, and your grace! And remembering this glorious event, help me to seek what is above, Heaven, where you are seated at the right hand of God the Father! (I found this beautiful prayer on a Catholic website)
Acts with Acts 3 – The Ascension