Church in the Wild
The Tension of Ascension
“Jesus will return from heaven, certainly, they are told; but meanwhile there are other things to be done. It is about those other things that Acts speaks.” —Justo González
Two weeks ago, I started a series at our church called Church in the Wild.
It’s our deep dive into the book of Acts, the story of how ordinary people, filled with extraordinary power, bore witness to Jesus in hostile territories around the world.
Consider this month’s article a recap of where we’ve been and a preview of where we’re headed as we continue to explore Acts and the power of witness.
But first, sharing is caring.
The Ascension
Jesus is gone. For real this time.
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 1:9 NIV
After defeating death and spending his most immediate post-resurrection days offering final instructions to those who would carry on his mission, Jesus ascends back to heaven.
As you would expect, those present were awe-stricken by the event.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:10-11 NIV
This question, asked by heavenly messengers, is rhetorical, but revealing because it’s not the first time Luke records something like it.
If you flip back to the final chapter of Luke’s Gospel, you’ll find another scene.
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
Luke 24:1-5 NIV
Two men. Two white robes. Two disoriented groups of disciples.
One gentle correction: Jesus isn’t there anymore.
At the tomb, they were stuck in grief.
At the mount, they were stuck in nostalgia.
Luke is teaching us something here: There is a human tendency to cling to where Jesus was, rather than where He is leading.
The Tension
Although Jesus is gone, His instructions remain:
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:4-5 NIV
So, the disciples return to Jerusalem and wait.
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.
Acts 1:12 NIV
While waiting, Peter asserts they must replace Judas and restore the apostolic number to 12.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’and,
“‘May another take his place of leadership.’
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us,
Acts 1:15-17; 20-21 NIV
Aside: I intentionally left out verses 18–19 because they are not part of Peter’s original speech. Instead, they are a parenthetical insertion by Luke, included to provide background for his Greek-speaking audience, which may not be familiar with Aramaic or the cultural context.
How they choose to replace Judas is interesting: they cast lots.
“Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.”
Acts 1:26 NIV
This ancient practice, used throughout the Old Testament to discern God’s will, was their best available method. But here’s the catch: this is the last time in the entire New Testament that casting lots is used.
Why?
Because the Spirit is about to come.
And when the Spirit comes, the method will change.
But for now, they must manage the tension.
Caught Between the Cloud and the Fire
The early church is caught between the cloud of Ascension and the fire of Pentecost.
Jesus is gone, but the Spirit hasn’t come.
They are living in the in-between.
They know what God has done, and they believe in what He will do.
But they still have to wait.
If this in-between space sounds familiar to you, take heart!
Aside: “ Take heart” is a biblical phrase that means “be encouraged” or “find courage again.”
You’re not lost
You’re not late.
You’re just in the wild.
Church in the Wild continues at Kingdom South from now until the end of the year.
Consider this your standing invitation into the mystery and the movement.