Winston Salem church of Christ

What do you think of when you hear the name, “Michael Jordan?” What made him so famous? Was it his ability to shoot free throws? How about his three-point shot? Would anyone argue that it was his all-star defense? Hardly. What made Michael Jordan world famous is the same thing that made his predecessor, “Dr. J,” a household name. His ability to dunk with style, finesse, power and showmanship – plus one more dunking ability.

When Michael Jordan won one of his dunking championships, he did it because of one special dunk. There was nothing extra powerful in the way he “slammed it down.” Neither was there any magical hand movement such as in the Tomahawk dunk. Maybe some of you remember because it involved something no one had ever done before – although Dr. J got close.

Michael (we’re on a first name basis!) started dribbling and moving forward from around half court. As he approached the foul line, he stopped. I don’t mean he stopped moving. He stopped moving on the ground. He “flew” 15 feet through the air and dunked. A dunk no one had ever done before. What is the most famous part of Michael Jordan’s dunking game? His hang-time!

But he came down.

We are rightfully amazed when someone “flies” fifteen feet across the floor and 12 feet high. I know someone who “flew” even more.

In Acts 1:9-11 Jesus flew on a cloud. What did the apostles do? “They were gazing intently into the sky” How long did they stare? I don’t know, but just picture it. Eleven grown men staring up – kind of comical if you think about it.

Then two “men,” two angels in reality, ask what must have sounded like a silly question: “Why do you stand looking into the sky?” The answer seems obvious – “You wouldn’t believe what we just saw!” I think I understand the apostles’ awe.

This ascension of Jesus, which shocked and awed the apostles, should not have been unexpected. Jesus had preached on it. And yet the men closest to Him were still unprepared. We, like them, have in my opinion, neglected this great doctrine – the ascension. Notice the importance of it:

John 3:13

“No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.

John 6:62

“What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

John 20:17

Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’ ”

Acts 2:34

“For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Ephes. 4:8

Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high,

He led captive a host of captives,

And He gave gifts to men.”

Ephes. 4:10

He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

1 Tim. 3:16

By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:

He who was revealed in the flesh,

Was vindicated in the Spirit,

Seen by angels,

Proclaimed among the nations,

Believed on in the world,

Taken up in glory.

The ascension of Jesus was bodily just as His resurrection was bodily. It is my personal opinion that maybe we do not pay enough attention to the subject of the ascension with all of its implications (also read Jn.16).

More scriptures for studying the ascension:

OT:

Psalms 68:18, 110:1; Ps 2:1-6, 8:5, 45:6-7, 69:29, 72:8-11, 72:17, 89:3-4, 89:19-37, 132:11

NT:

Gospels. Mark 16:19, Luke 9:51, 24:51, John 6:62, 7:39, 12:16, 16:7, 17:5, 20:17 and possibly others that speak of Christ’s ‘glorification’

Acts 1:2, 1:9-11, 1:22, 2:30-36, 3:21, 5:31, 7:55-56

Pauline Epistles. Rom 8:34, Eph 1:20-23, 2:5-6, 4:8-10, Phil 2:5-11, 3:20, Col 3:1-4, I Thess 1:10, 4:16, I Tim 3:16

Heb 1:3, 8:1-2, 9:24, 10:12, 12:2

I Peter 3:21-22

Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen Jesus floating up into the clouds? We missed that one, but we might be alive to see His return!

On second thought, Michael Jordan is not that impressive after all.  (Perry D. Hall)