Not Taken

Acts 1:11  …this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

What if?  Is it OK to play the what-if game with the Bible?  We sometimes consider the what-ifs of historical and current events.  Why not the same with the Bible?  We dare not change the Word of God and do not intend to do any such thing.  But, we can learn great lessons from what-if scenarios. 

So, what if Jesus had not been taken up from us?  Have you wondered or even thought whether it would have been better for Jesus to have stayed?  There is no wrong in such a thought as long as we approach it correctly.  It is God’s will that He be removed for a time.  It is best for us.  It is the best course for us and God.  But why is it best?

First, Jesus’ resurrection was unprecedented, to say the least.  For this cause many gathered to his side.  But, Jesus commanded us, “go ye into all the world”.  How could we go if we were to spend all our time with Jesus?  When we are saved we come to an understanding of the great sacrifice of Christ.  We realize as we grow in Christ that we owe God more than we could ever give.  With such a mindset how would we be compelled to preach the gospel with Jesus physically approachable?  Who would dare to preach in the shadow of Jesus?  We would leave it to Jesus to preach the gospel.  How would Jesus reach an entire world as the only preacher?  As the pastor of one and only one church, Jesus would certainly have His hands full.  People would have to come from the far corners of the world to hear Him speak.  Yet, who would go and bring them in?  There are sound reasons for the Holy Ghost to be manifest after Jesus’ ascension.  Could we be filled with the Holy Ghost to speak the Word of God to a lost world and at the same time seek the audience and presence of Christ?  We would be drawn between God.  Unlike GM, Ford, or Chrysler, God does not compete between divisions.

So, rather than send out missionaries there would be a mad rush of idol production, (pun intended).  The result of these idols would be to share the image of Jesus with the world, yet it would simply result in a worship of the image rather than God.  After all, an idol is only a reproduction on a small scale of the god it represents.  Why is God without idols and the gods of men fraught with them?  Primarily it is because God absolutely prohibits it.  God will not share glory with even an image of Himself.  Have you wondered why the serpent was chosen to be looked upon by the plagued Exodus?  Couldn’t God have sent an image of Himself to be lifted up on the staff?  Of course God could have.  But we find that God had the serpent destroyed because later generations begun to worship the serpent rather than God.  The Bible also speaks of Jesus being lifted up.  Jesus has been lifted up once.  Once was all it took to finish the job.  He can no more revisit the cross than to be physically reborn.  It is a ridiculous proposition.  God will not even have an image of Jesus lifted up on the cross!  Why?  Some would worship the image.  God could have placed an artist at Calvary if He’d wanted.  There were probably more than a few, as it was!  Why didn’t they paint the image of Jesus on the cross or create great sculptures of the moment?  God knows the hearts of men.  Who of us might still be thinking a crucifix is an innocent image?  Think again.  A crucifix is an idol that is worshipped and is meant to supersede the God who was lifted up for our sins and salvation. 

Jesus would have not only a great entourage, but would have many copies of himself spring up.  Great athletes and famous people are always being copied and mimicked by the world.  Can you imagine the hubbub over Jesus?  He would be close to 2000 years old!  That of itself would bring world-wide acclaim.  These “little christs” would be nothing like a Christian.  They would make the mistake of changing the outward appearance when God is interested in the inward parts.  Christian was a name given to believers and translates as “little Christ”.  But these copiers of Christ would be an absolutely wicked thing.  These people would be scratching for a bit of God’s glory.  That is usually the root reason for an unknown person to copy a famous person.  The copy wants a little of the limelight for themselves.  True Christians present Christ to the world by allowing Christ to live through us and diverting any glory from us unto Christ. 

Also, imagine the constant threats on Jesus’ life.  How many times would the world have wanted Jesus beheaded, burned, drawn and quartered, skinned, and even shot over the last 2000 years?  Why would there be any need to martyr any saint?  As the saying goes, cut off the head and the body dies.  Jesus would have to keep a running score of resurrections.  Why would anyone want to be resurrected to face such a fate?  Jesus ascended to show us exactly where we would go when we come to resurrection day.  This is not reincarnation or resurrections and Jesus has made it plain by doing it only once. 

Finally, Jesus was taken up so He could be sent back.  There is no greater promise of a living God than that He will come back.  In the Old Testament era the lost person became aware of their need to be saved by seeing God’s creation past, the providence of the present, and the future promise of the Christ.  By looking back and through to the future atonement of Christ they could see salvation’s plan.  In the New Testament age the lost person can look back to the finished gospel of Christ, the blessings of the saints, and the future promise of Christ’s return.  By looking back and through to the future return of Christ we see salvation’s plan.  There is no difference in either scenario.  Both involve the central theme of Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected for our sins and salvation.  Most importantly a promise to return after the fulfillment of all other promises leaves us with life.  Christ lives because He promised! 

Jesus said once that He must be about His Father’s business.  Later, on the cross of Calvary He said it is finished.  Was He speaking about His Father’s business?  What is the business of the Son?  Like a son who has performed admirably in the family business, Jesus has won the company.  The Father has given all authority, power, and possession unto Him.  When Christ returns we shall see His business. 

Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Throne of God.  What are we to do?  It is clear why Jesus left.  Shouldn’t we be about God’s business?  We too are sons of God.

Jesus performed a great ministry in the time before His death and resurrection.  It is now our time to do a great ministry for God before our own death and resurrection.  Why not?  If we are truly, each and every one, a “little Christ”, then we should follow through and take it to the end.  God is beyond our comprehension, yet what little we can grasp makes it abundantly clear that He knows how it is done and how to do it right. 

Why not serve before death as Jesus served before death?

After all, we are not taken – yet!

What if?