8/14/2019 NIV Lesson 04-19-2009

1/6

Christ and CreationUnit 2: The Dawn of New Life

(Lessons 6-9)You ARE WITNESSES- - - - - -m m fB I I - - INTRODUCTION I DEVOTIONAL READING:

ACTS 2:22-32A. ACKNOWLEDGING THE ASCENSION !Most churches faithfully celebrateJesus' birth and resurrection. Christmas , BACKGROUND SCRIPTURELUKE 24:36-53and Easter have become significant annual observances, and we have createdmany helpful traditions that keep these commemorations meaningful. PRINTED TEXT:LUKE 24:44-53Less common, however, is celebration of]esus' ascension. The reason forthis cannot be that this event is not important in Scripture. There are at leastas many references to the ascension as there are to Jesus' birth. Nor can it bethat this event is not on anyone's Christian calendar like other notable days.

Ascension Day on liturgical calendars is 40 days into the Easter Season and LESSON AIMS10 days before Pentecost. Several Christian traditions acknowledge it on their After participating in thicalendars, even if they pay comparatively litde attention to what the day com lesson, each student will bememorates. able to:In a sincere effort to avoid human traditions that have flooded Christian 1. List the evidences reity and blurred the clear gospel message, some churches have deemphasized vealed in Luke's ascensionthe idea of a Christian calendar. Yet there is an important difference between account for believing incelebrating feast days that honor "saints" and recognizing key events inJesus' Jesus.life. Jesus' ascension was a pivotal point in world history, and what it signifies 2. Explain how thebears directly on the daily life of Christians and churches. In today's lesson combination ofscripwe focus on the events leading up to Jesus' ascension and its abiding signifi tural evidence and personalcance for both his followers and the world. experience equips one to bewitness ofChrist.B. LESSON BACKGROUND 3. Write out a personalAfterJesus died, his body was removed from the cross, wrapped in linen, testimony that he or she canann. placed in a borrowed tomb before the Sabbath could begin (Luke 23 :50 use to tell of Christ.56). After that particular Sabbath day was over, some women who followedJesus went to his tomb with burial spices, but found his body gone. An angeltold them he had risen as he had said (Luke 24:1-12).When the women told the disciples, they doubted, although Peter ranto the tomb to test their claim. Jesus then appeared to two diSciples on theroad to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35) and finally showed himself to the eleven.They were startled by his appearance and wondered if he were a ghost. Buthe demonstrated the truth of his resurrection by inviting them to inspect hiswounds, touch his body, and watch him eat food (Luke 24:36-43).The disciples could see and feel the evidence, but it still made little senseto them. That's where today's lesson begins. KEYVERSESI. ENLIGHTENED NOW (LUKE 24:44-48) You are witnesses of theseA. REMEMBER SCRIPTURE (w. 44, 45) things. I am going to send44. He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still tvith you: Every- you what my Father hasthing must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law ofMoses, the Proph- promised.ets and the Psalms." . -Luke 24:48,

8/14/2019 NIV Lesson 04-19-2009

2/6

APRIL 19

8/14/2019 NIV Lesson 04-19-2009

3/6

LESSON 8 317exercise and a balanced diet. Absolute scientific proof is lacking at this point,but the games are fun nevertheless.In our drive to stay young mentally, we need to remember that healthy brainfunction is no guarantee of spiritual understanding. Today's text makes it obvious: Jesus' disciples were in the prime of their lives, but he still had to "opentheir understanding" so they could comprehend the meaning of Scripture.Regardless of our age, a proper spiritual perspective isn't the same as being"smarter, younger, sharper." -co R. B.

B. REMEMBER}ESUS (w. 46, 47)46. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise fromthe dead on the third day,Luke does not say which specific Old Testament passage(s) Jesus has inmind here, if any. Perhaps Luke is waiting to do this in Acts, his second book.For example, in Acts 2:25-28 Luke records Peter quoting David in Psalm16:8-11, which says that God will not abandonJesus in death nor let himexperience decay. See also Acts 4:11 quoting Psalms 118:22; Acts 4:25, 26quoting Psalm 2:1,2; Acts 8:32, 33 quoting Isaiah 53:7,8; etc.Another relevant passage is Luke 11 :29,30, where Jesus alludes to thesign of]onah. As the fish spewed Jonah from its belly after three days, so thegrave surrenderedJesus on the third day. Interestingly, Jonah refers to his timein the fish in terms thatJews associate with the grave 00nah 2:2).47. ". . . and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his nameto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.Jesus announces a critical new phase in the life of his followers: the beginning of the mission to Gentiles. They had been proclaiming repentance andforgiveness ofsins to Jews throughout their ministry (Matthew 10:5, 6). Butnow they must turn their attention to the nations, that is, the Gentiles. Thedisciples may not grasp this idea fully just yet, given Peter's surprise at beingsent to Gentiles in Acts 10.In Acts, Luke supplies Old Testament passages that anticipate the Gentilemission thatJesus may have had in mind. Luke records Paul and Barnabasquoting Isaiah 49:6, which states that Israel will be a light to the nations soGod's salvation may reach the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). Luke notesJames quoting Amos 9: 11, 12, which includes a reference to "all the Gentileswho bear my name" (Acts 15:15-18).However, we must not miss the fact that this mission is intended to begininJerusalem. It is in Jerusalem that the disciples receive the Holy Spirit. Theybegin their mission first in Jerusalem, then move outward to Judea, Samaria,and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). It is important for the mission to beginwith Jerusalem because of passages such as Isaiah 2:3 and Micah 4:1,2. Godfulfills these prophecies by gathering the disciples in Jerusalem, empoweringthem with his Spirit, and then sending them forth to the nations.C. REMEMBER RESPONSIBILITY (v. 48)48. "You are witnesses of these things."Those who follow Jesus during his earthly ministry are unique in worldhistory for being eyewitnesses to God's saving work through him. Others ofthat time period may have seen some things thatJesus did, but his apostlesare taught how to interpret these events without error.

APRIL 19, 200DAILY BIBLE READINGS

Monday, Apr. 13Women at the Tomb(Matthew 28:6-10)Tuesday, Apr. 14-MaryMagdalene Oohn 20: 11-18)Wednesday, Apr. 15-0the Road to Emmaus (Luke24: 13-23,28-31)Thursday, Apr. 16-Thomas Oohn 20:24-29)Friday, Apr. 17-SevenDisciples Oohn 21:1-14)Saturday, Apr. 18-Witnesses of the Resurrection

(l Corinthians 15:1-8)Sunday, Apr. 19-ThuAre Witnesses (Luke 24:44-53)

Visual for Lesson 8. Pointo this visual as you ask thefirst question on page 288:"How are you doing as awitness for Christ?"

8/14/2019 NIV Lesson 04-19-2009

4/6

APRIL 19,2009 318 You ARE WITNE

WHAT Do You THINK?Haw are you doing as awitness for Christ? Haw canyou make your life a strongertestimony?

WHAT Do You THINK?\Vhy do you think Godrequires us at times to wait?\Vhy do we find this hardto do? \Vhat happens ifwe'jump the gun"?

As firsthand witnesses, these particular disciples have imponant respon, bilities. The apostle Paul also becomes a firsthand witness through extraordinary means (Acts 9: 1-19; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-10; etc.). The apostles arecommissioned to take the gospel to the world and personally verify it. Forreason the apostolic testimony, as preserved in the New Testament, constitutes the reliable baseline for Christian faith.We may confidently continue the first disciples' missionary witness awe pass on to others what we have received from them in Scripture. WhGod says to us through the new covenant in Scripture is normative andbinding on all churches and Christians everywhere. Scripture is the standard by which all Christian speech, practice, church order, and doctrineto be judged.

CREDIBLE WITNESSESYou may have seen the video clip that made its way around the world a whiback showing a commercial airliner making an emergency landing on the 1-4freeway in Los Angeles. The freeway had been cleared except for a hapless younman in a]eep wagon and a little old lady in a sedan. The man sees the plan

approaching in his rearview mirror and vainly tries to accelerate out of danger. Thuge plane comes down on top of the]eep and the two vehicles continue dowthe freeway. The woman is oblivious to what is happening, but fortunately thplane straddles her car so she is unharmed."Pictures don't lie," we used to say. However, with the arrival of digital technoogy, it is no longer so. This video was digitally contrived-just lil

8/14/2019 NIV Lesson 04-19-2009

5/6

LESSON 8 319 APRIL 19,200These passages don't indicate, however, exactly in what sense this promiseis fulfilled. This only becomes clear when the promise is fulfilled in Acts 2.On the Day of Pentecost, God pours out the Spirit onJesus' disciples. WhenPeter explains what is going on (Acts 2:17-21), he quotes God's promise topour the Spirit on his people (from Joel 2:28-32). We continue the apostles'mission by the strength of the Holy Spirit.

B. BLESSING AND ASCENSION (w. 50, 51)50. When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his handsand blessed them.In the footsteps ofJacob (Genesis 49) and Moses (Deuteronomy 33),jesusgathers his people and blesses them before departing. We are not told thecontent of this blessing, but it likely concerns their well-being, safety, andfaithfulness as they carry out his mission. Jesus' prayer recorded in John 17may also reflect some of what he says at this time.By leading his disciples out of the city, Jesus ensures peace and quiet. Perhaps he wants to avoid creating a big scene by the nature of his departure.Bethany is an important place to Jesus. It is the hometown of Mary, Martha,and Lazarus Qohn 11: 1), and it is the place where Mary anointed him withexpensive perfume, unknowingly preparing for his burial (Mark 14:3-8;John12: 1-8). It is located on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives, abouttwo miles outside ofJerusalem Qohn 11:18). Luke also locates the ascensionin this area in Acts 1: 12.51. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.Finally, what Luke is building up to comes to pass. AtJesus' transfigurationin Luke 9:31, Moses and Elijah speakwithJesus about his departure. Then in9: 51, Luke says the time for Jesus to be taken away is drawing near. This goalof ascension is reached only through the cross and resurrection, but that theascension isJesus' goal should not be overlooked. It marks the completion ofJesus' earthly pilgrimage. It isn't enough for him to be born and to walk amongpeople. It isn't enough to teach his followers about the kingdom and how tolive. It isn't even enough for him to die and rise again. Jesus' destiny is to sit atGod's right hand in glory; that can happen only after the ascension.

It is not until he is crowned in glory thatJesus assumes his rightful position over the nations and powers to which he was temporarily and voluntarilysubject. It is not until he is exalted on high that he will send his Spirit toempower his people to carry out their mission. It is not until he leaves thisworld that he will be with us everywhere and always as he promises in Matthew 28:20. Before his ascension people speak with him, touch him, and eatwith him. After his ascension they are stricken with awe and reverent fear athis presence (see Acts 9:3-6; Revelation 1: 17).The ascension is indeed a pivotal event in the life ofJesus and in worldhistory. Jesus' ascension is discussed or assumed in numerous passages (seeMatthew 26:64; Mark 16:19; Luke 9:31, 51;John 1:18; 3:13; 6:62; 14:2;20:17; Acts 1:9; 2:33; 3:21; 5:31; 7:56; Ephesians 1:20; 4:8-10; Philippians2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:3; 4:14; 6:19, 20; 1 Peter 3:22; and Revelation 12:5). The fact ofJesus' ascension also is arguably a culminating pointof Peter's Pentecost sermon in Acts 2. Listing all these passages (and there aremore) is imponant because today's church sorely neglects this critical eventinJesus'life.

HOWrOSAylrBarnabas. BAR-nuh-bus.Deuteronomy. Due-ter-AHNuh-me.Elijah. Ee-LYE-juh.Emmaus. Em-MAY-us.Gentiles. JEN-tiles.Isaiah. Eye-ZAY-uh.Jacob. JAY-kub.Jerusalem. Juh-ROO-suh-lemJudea. Joo-DEE-uh.Micah. MY-kuh.Moses. MO-zes or MO-zez.Pentecost. PENT-ih-kost.Samaria. Suh-MARE-ee-uh.

8/14/2019 NIV Lesson 04-19-2009

6/6

APRIL 19,-'-,--""2""OCY _ 3 2 0 _ ~ You ARE WITNE-"'-9 _IWHAT Do You THINK? We celebrate jesus' death because in it we receive forgiveness of sins. W! celebrate his resurrection because in it we find hope for eternal life. PerhaIn what ways has the . we should celebrate his exaltation because in it we learn submission to oascended Lord blessed yOU? . sovereign Lord.How can you use these bless- Yet submission is not all that we learn. In submitting we learn of poweings to bless others as you that only the exalted Christ can bestow on us Oohn 16:7). We learn confiserve as his witness?

dence before enemies of the cross, because Christ has already triumphedthem and is subjecting them under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:25). We leaWHAT Do You THINK? comfort in our weakness, because the ascended and exalted jesus interceHow is your joy in Christ? for us continually before the Father (Romans 8:34).How well are you expressing ithat joy? How do you avoid C. WORSHIP AND PRAISE (w. 52, 53)confusing the joy ofJesus with 52. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great jay.the happiness the world pur- The disciples had been stunned and broken after jesus' death. After jesues? resurrection they had been skeptical, confused, amazed, and joyous. Nowafter jesus' ascension, they are filled with great joy that overflows to worshMany godly people have died on behalf of others. A few have been raisedback to life. But only jesus dies, rises, and is taken up to be seated at Godright hand. The ascension culminates and concludes jesus' earthly ministIt makes concretely visible to the disciples the power of the gospel they hbeen preaching. They have been preaching that the kingdom of God begiinjesus, but they have been confused that their king refuses to be a political Messiah Oohn 6: 15; Acts 1:6). Now their king is properly situated, nomerely overJerusalem, but over the entire cosmos. The disciples' expectatto this point have been too small!The exalted Christ elicits worship. He doesn't have to request it or de-PRAYER mand it from the disciples who are truly his. They offer worship freely ouFather in Heaven, one of the surplus ofjoy they find in serving him. So it goes without saying that our main enemies is busy- will obey their master, return to jerusalem, and wait. In this single verse tness. Busyness keeps us disciples demonstrate the proper threefold response of worship, obediencdistracted so we are not able and joy to Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension.to pause and think your 53. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.thoughts after you. Allow u.s The disciples still think of themselves as jews. So as they await the proto pause right now and mar- ised Spirit, they gather in the temple to praise God: This temple has been avel at whatJesus' ascension den of robbers, a house of profiteering. This element undoubtedly is stillmeans. In his name, amen. i present. But that doesn't deter these disciples. They peer through the spirtual darkness to see the temple as a house of praise. It is important to notthat the disciples are intentionally public about their faith. Even before thdivine empowerment that comes on Pentecost, they can't help but radiatefore others the joy of Christ. Should we not be able to be as joyous?CONCLUSIONThe normal rhythm of society doesn't quite come to a grinding haltaround Christmas and Easter, but it does slow down to varying degrees. Dto the influence of Christians, these have become recognized events on thsecular calendar. Christians gather together and celebrate these events meingfully. However, no such space is created for the ascension.How sad! jesus' ascension means that he now sits at the right hand of tFather in glory and that every authority is either being eliminated or subjeto him ( l Corinthians 15:24-27). The birth of a baby may seem harmless.