Why most believers celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, very few Evangelicals celebrate His Ascension. Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox churches, the so called High Church, still honors and celebrates this day as one of the greatest of Christianity. But why not evangelicals and charismatics? Because they don’t have an Hebrew understanding to the Bible and view things from a Greek understanding.
Tonight at Sundown is the fortieth day of the Counting of Omer. This is fifty days between the Passover and the resurrection of Jesus, and the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai which is Feast of Pentecost. Scripture tells us after the Resurrection of Jesus he walked with the disciples for forty days. During this time He restored Peter’s ministry, strengthened Thomas’s faith, walk on the road of Emmaus with two, met with the eleven apostles and walked with Mary his mother, Mary and Martha, and gave the Great Commission, teaching them about the Kingdom of God. Tonight at sundown through tomorrow at Sundown is anniversary of the time our Lord Ascended from Mt. Olives to take His place of on the right hand of the Father in heaven.
So does Messianic Judiasm and Messianic Gentiles celebrate this day, YES! After our Savior arose from the grave, and had gone about the land for forty days, He appeared to the disciples 10 times and ate and drank with them. Jesus remained on the earth forty days just as he had fasted forty days, as Elijah had fasted forty days and so Moses fasted for forty days and as the rain continued for forty days during the flood and God had admonished the Ninevites for forty days, and the spies remained absent for forty days, and the children wandered for forty years, and like a child whose fashioning in the womb is complete in forty weeks. And after forty days the Master took his disciples to the Mt. of Olives, laid His hands upon them.
The Ascension symbolizes when Jesus ascends to the heavenly realm to take up His throne at the right hand of the Father. At this point Jesus the Son of Man, becomes Jesus the Messiah who takes His Kingly authority and everything is under his feet. He is now seated on the right hand of the Father ruling and reigning His Kingly scepter. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, The Bright and Morning Star, the preparer of our Heavenly Home, Intercessor, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and Defense Attorney who stands in the Court Room and Heaven and represent His Bride against the Accuser of the Brethren.
In the New Testament the Ascension is closely tied to the giving of Holy Spirit. As Yeshua tells his disciples, “If I do not go away the helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:9 Why would we not celebrate such a Key Event in the Kingdom of Heaven?
I challenge you to join my wife and I tomorrow evening at a meal with your family to read the Psalms 110 and the Psalm of Ascent Psalm 118, along with the Gospel account, John 16:9, Luke 24:50-53, and Acts 1:9-11. It is a time of joy and celebration to remember this important event in the life of Yeshua.
Wellspring Israel 