I don't know about you but when I watch the news and see the excitement of family and friends greeting their loved ones who are returning from a dangerous situation, for example like war, I can only imagine what happens when the family returns home. I picture a grand celebration filled with love, food, and laughter. During Holy Week leading up to Easter, we are focused on the events that occurred ultimately leading up to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of our Lord. Following Jesus' resurrection and the many eyewitness accounts of the risen Lord that we read about in Acts 1:3, Jesus gives His disciples the final instructions to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come. Jesus promises them that they will receive power to carry on His mission, bringing the gospel to the entire world. (Acts 1:4-8) Then we read in Acts 1:9-11, "After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "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." (NIV)
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
From that point forward we read about the unfolding story of the birth of the church. As I was meditating on Holy Week I found myself asking the question, I wonder what it was like for the angels and the hosts of heaven to receive their King back? Jesus was returning from a "dangerous and costly mission" after descending into time and spending approximately 33 years on earth. God who exists outside of time and eternity is not bound in the same way we perceive the passing of time. Peter tells us, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." (2 Peter 3:8 NIV) Nevertheless, the King of glory stepped down from His throne in heaven to fulfill God's plan for our salvation. We are told in Luke 22:43 as Jesus prayed and agonized in the garden of Gethsemane, "An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him." (NIV) The Bible doesn't tell us anymore about this angel but one can presume the angel returned to heaven after ministering to Jesus, to await with the other angelic hosts, the return of their Lord. When Jesus returned to sit at His Father's right hand, was there a grand celebration in heaven? Did the angelic hosts sit at Jesus' feet and ask Him to tell the story of His time on earth? What was it like to take on human flesh? How did it feel to experience the needs that are unique to the human body, like sleep, hunger, and thirst? There was certainly plenty of love overflowing from Jesus to the saints and angels in heaven and vice versa.
HOME GOING
While we celebrate our risen Savior at Easter which is the hallmark of Christianity and separates our faith from all other religions, let us not forget to take time to remember the home going that awaits all those who have committed their lives to following Jesus. There will be love overflowing and a great feast awaiting us as we read about in Revelation 19:6-9, "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.) Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" And he added, "These are the true words of God." (NIV)
Peace and Blessing to all God's people! Happy Easter! HE IS RISEN!
Pastor Sheree
