'Christ's Ascension: What Does This Mean?" 2 Kings 2:5-15
May 26, 2022
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Jesus' ascension doesn't mean that He has left His Church. He ascends to be nearing to us as True Man and True God in His Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. Sermon Text: 2 Kings 2:5-15. Sermon Theme: "Christ's Ascension: What Does This Mean?" preached for the Ascension of our Lord, 26-May-2022, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Tell City, Indiana by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert.
Episode Notes
The Ascension Of Our Lord 26-May-2022
Sermon Text: 2 Kings 2:5-15
Sermon Theme: “Christ’s Ascension - What Does This Mean?” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. 1 Kings 19:4 ... "It is enough!” The prophet Elijah despaired. He wanted to die, praying, “ Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" What’s the use? The church was decimated its preachers slaughtered. Elijah was the only faithful one left and the government had put a bounty on his head. Why go on? When Queen Jezebel vowed to put him to death - he ran away. Ran to the desert to die. What’s the use?
Death surrounds us. People clamor that it is their right to murder the unborn in the womb. How dare any court challenge their right to chose death over the life of a baby in their body! Wicked evil men murder people grocery shopping or slaughter fourth graders in Texas. No one calls for repentance. Politicians stand on the slaughtered crying for more laws, so they can seize more power, further enslaving those whom they even now fail to protect. What’s the use? Why go on? Christ’s Church seems to shrink while Satan’s rule of darkness grows.
Our Lord didn’t leave His despairing prophet to die in the desert. He sent His messenger rousing the prophet to eat and drink Bread from Heaven. The journey was too great for Elijah. Roused to feast twice. He travels forty days in the strength of that food to Horeb, the mountain of God. There in the cave on Sinai Christ draws near asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah?’ History records, 1 Kings 19:10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." Our pre-incarnate Jesus tells him,"Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." Remember where our Lord God was found that day? Not in the rock shattering wind. Not in the mountain shaking earthquake. Not in the blazing fire. The Lord God was found in a whisper - His still small voice - His Word breathed gently. Contrary to Elijah’s despair the Lord’s Kingdom had not been lost. He sends him back to anoint new kings over Syria and Israel. He sends him to anoint Elisha as his own replacement. The Lord’s Kingdom was hidden, but never defeated - 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." The Lord had preserved His Church even under evil King Ahab and wicked Queen Jezebel.
“Acts 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" Forty days Christ Jesus had shown Himself alive with many infallible proofs. The One Crucified - Sacrificed for the sins of the world. The One who had died our death. Lived! Raised to Life - His living fleshly wounds were proof that our God and Father has reconciled us to Himself through the flesh and blood of Jesus. Still the apostles didn’t see it - the kingdom - where is it? Jesus is the Kingdom in the flesh. Where Jesus is -The Kingdom - The gracious rule and reign of our God is.
Learn from Elijah’s translation to heaven: “Christ’s Ascension - What Does This Mean?”
The time for Elijah to depart and be with his Lord arrived. He took a farewell trip to each of the three schools of the prophets. His faithful student Elisha was at his side. (Vs. 5-6) At each school the prophets asked Elisha the same thing, he knew that his teacher soon would be taken. Elijah asked Elisha to stay behind, instead he clung tighter.
Jesus’ ascension isn’t to leave us. He doesn’t say with Elijah - “Stay here!” Jesus ascends to fulfil the words of Elisha - “As the Lord lives, and as our soul lives, I will not leave you!” St. Mark gives us a glimpse of this mysterious truth: Mark 16:19-20 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (20) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” King Jesus is received up into heaven - now the days of the humiliation were over - He is exalted as True God and True Man - He is beyond time and space and fills all things fully as our Savior and our God - as True Man and True God. The apostles go out and preach - but they are not alone - Jesus is there working with them through His Word preached and Sacraments administered.
Jesus ascends fulfilling the promise sealed upon us in Holy Baptism -Matthew 28:20 .... lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." He knits you into His own living flesh. By grace He has made you bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. He is closer to you for you are in Him than He was to His disciples in the days of His earthly ministry. He is present in water, word, meal, and wine. He allows you to touch His living redeeming flesh and blood in bread and wine. He washes you forgiven in holy baptism. He preaches His Word into your ears within His Church.
Elijah and Elisha journey towards the Jordan. (Vs.7-8) Like Moses of old, Elijah strikes the water and it opens - they cross over on dry ground. Now Elijah asks (vs.9-10) Elisha wanted to be the true firstborn son of the prophet. The firstborn son received a double inheritance. It isn’t Elijah’s to give, the Lord God alone calls men to serve in the pastoral office. If it is the Lord’s will - Elisha will see Elijah taken and receive the Spirit of Elijah.
King Jesus promises His apostles that He will send them His Holy Spirit. They were to wait until His promise is fulfilled. Then they were to go in the Spirit and power of Jesus preaching the Good News beginning at Jerusalem, then to Judea, to Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Christ’s Kingdom comes through His living Word preached and through His visible Word poured over us in baptism and fed us in the Lord’s Supper. Here alone is the Holy Spirit poured out by Jesus snatching sinners from death to life, from sin to righteousness, from Satan to God.
Now the Lord brings Elijah home to Himself. (Vs.11-12) A chariot of fire with horses of fire appear - the Lord’s Holy angels serve as the prophet’s vanguard. Elijah is separated from Elisha. A whirlwind takes the prophet body and soul Home to the presence of our Holy God. In the Old Testament Enoch didn’t die, but was taken by the Lord his body freed from sin and all its effects. St. Paul testifies, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY." (55) "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?" (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Christ Jesus - Enoch and Elijah are taken home. Here we learn that our God and Creator values our human bodies and lives. We are not accidents of evolution - our bodies and lives are sacred - created by God the Father - redeemed by God the Son - sanctified by God the Holy Spirit. With Job trusting our living Redeemer - Jesus - we know that even after worms destroy this body - it shall rise again to new life - and with these eyes we shall behold our Jesus.
As the disciples look on - our Lord Jesus rises - He isn’t taken up by a whirlwind - He rises by His own Divine Power that He had from eternity - now shared with His Humanity that He took on in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Lord was visible present over the Tabernacle during the Exodus - now the same cloud envelopes Jesus. He will be present with us also. He is the first fruits of our resurrected bodies. He is the first fruits of our glorified bodies - for when He appears we shall be like Him.
Elisha is overwhelmed. (Vs.12) He tears his clothes for he has seen the Lord’s holy angels - he is alone - or is he? (Vs.13-14) Elijah’s mantle now becomes his clothing. Standing by the Jordan - Elisha calls on the name of Elijah’s God and striking the water it opens. Just as when Joshua led the children of Israel into the promised land. The Ark of God being carried by the priests opened up a dry path through the Jordan. So now Elisha crosses over to continue the preaching ministry of Elijah. (Vs.15) The sons of the prophets - the seminarians now see that Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha.
King Jesus cast His mantle upon you. He clothes you daily and richly with His royal robes of righteousness for you are baptized into Christ. He is here preaching to you. Forgiving you. Breathing out His Life giving Holy Spirit through Words freeing you from sin. Placing upon your lips His very living flesh and sin destroying blood - that you might be His own - Living under Him here and now in His Kingdom!
This same Jesus that was visibly taken up will soon come again in glory. He will free you from sin and all its effects. He will bring you into a new creation - where only righteousness lives and sin, Satan, and death are forever imprisoned in hell.
Where is Jesus? He is here! Where was He when a crazed gunman murdered fourth graders? He was in those children baptized into His death and resurrection. He was in the hands of Christian teachers protecting their children. He was in the hands of Christian law enforcement officers running into danger. He was in the tears of parents mourning their dead. He was on the lips and hearts of Christians praying. He is here with us always - even to the end of the world. He rules through the cross and suffering. Evil shall not win - we have the Kingd’s Word on it!, Revelation 22:20-21 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Sermon Text: 2 Kings 2:5-15
Sermon Theme: “Christ’s Ascension - What Does This Mean?” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. 1 Kings 19:4 ... "It is enough!” The prophet Elijah despaired. He wanted to die, praying, “ Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" What’s the use? The church was decimated its preachers slaughtered. Elijah was the only faithful one left and the government had put a bounty on his head. Why go on? When Queen Jezebel vowed to put him to death - he ran away. Ran to the desert to die. What’s the use?
Death surrounds us. People clamor that it is their right to murder the unborn in the womb. How dare any court challenge their right to chose death over the life of a baby in their body! Wicked evil men murder people grocery shopping or slaughter fourth graders in Texas. No one calls for repentance. Politicians stand on the slaughtered crying for more laws, so they can seize more power, further enslaving those whom they even now fail to protect. What’s the use? Why go on? Christ’s Church seems to shrink while Satan’s rule of darkness grows.
Our Lord didn’t leave His despairing prophet to die in the desert. He sent His messenger rousing the prophet to eat and drink Bread from Heaven. The journey was too great for Elijah. Roused to feast twice. He travels forty days in the strength of that food to Horeb, the mountain of God. There in the cave on Sinai Christ draws near asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah?’ History records, 1 Kings 19:10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." Our pre-incarnate Jesus tells him,"Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." Remember where our Lord God was found that day? Not in the rock shattering wind. Not in the mountain shaking earthquake. Not in the blazing fire. The Lord God was found in a whisper - His still small voice - His Word breathed gently. Contrary to Elijah’s despair the Lord’s Kingdom had not been lost. He sends him back to anoint new kings over Syria and Israel. He sends him to anoint Elisha as his own replacement. The Lord’s Kingdom was hidden, but never defeated - 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." The Lord had preserved His Church even under evil King Ahab and wicked Queen Jezebel.
“Acts 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" Forty days Christ Jesus had shown Himself alive with many infallible proofs. The One Crucified - Sacrificed for the sins of the world. The One who had died our death. Lived! Raised to Life - His living fleshly wounds were proof that our God and Father has reconciled us to Himself through the flesh and blood of Jesus. Still the apostles didn’t see it - the kingdom - where is it? Jesus is the Kingdom in the flesh. Where Jesus is -The Kingdom - The gracious rule and reign of our God is.
Learn from Elijah’s translation to heaven: “Christ’s Ascension - What Does This Mean?”
The time for Elijah to depart and be with his Lord arrived. He took a farewell trip to each of the three schools of the prophets. His faithful student Elisha was at his side. (Vs. 5-6) At each school the prophets asked Elisha the same thing, he knew that his teacher soon would be taken. Elijah asked Elisha to stay behind, instead he clung tighter.
Jesus’ ascension isn’t to leave us. He doesn’t say with Elijah - “Stay here!” Jesus ascends to fulfil the words of Elisha - “As the Lord lives, and as our soul lives, I will not leave you!” St. Mark gives us a glimpse of this mysterious truth: Mark 16:19-20 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (20) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” King Jesus is received up into heaven - now the days of the humiliation were over - He is exalted as True God and True Man - He is beyond time and space and fills all things fully as our Savior and our God - as True Man and True God. The apostles go out and preach - but they are not alone - Jesus is there working with them through His Word preached and Sacraments administered.
Jesus ascends fulfilling the promise sealed upon us in Holy Baptism -Matthew 28:20 .... lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." He knits you into His own living flesh. By grace He has made you bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. He is closer to you for you are in Him than He was to His disciples in the days of His earthly ministry. He is present in water, word, meal, and wine. He allows you to touch His living redeeming flesh and blood in bread and wine. He washes you forgiven in holy baptism. He preaches His Word into your ears within His Church.
Elijah and Elisha journey towards the Jordan. (Vs.7-8) Like Moses of old, Elijah strikes the water and it opens - they cross over on dry ground. Now Elijah asks (vs.9-10) Elisha wanted to be the true firstborn son of the prophet. The firstborn son received a double inheritance. It isn’t Elijah’s to give, the Lord God alone calls men to serve in the pastoral office. If it is the Lord’s will - Elisha will see Elijah taken and receive the Spirit of Elijah.
King Jesus promises His apostles that He will send them His Holy Spirit. They were to wait until His promise is fulfilled. Then they were to go in the Spirit and power of Jesus preaching the Good News beginning at Jerusalem, then to Judea, to Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Christ’s Kingdom comes through His living Word preached and through His visible Word poured over us in baptism and fed us in the Lord’s Supper. Here alone is the Holy Spirit poured out by Jesus snatching sinners from death to life, from sin to righteousness, from Satan to God.
Now the Lord brings Elijah home to Himself. (Vs.11-12) A chariot of fire with horses of fire appear - the Lord’s Holy angels serve as the prophet’s vanguard. Elijah is separated from Elisha. A whirlwind takes the prophet body and soul Home to the presence of our Holy God. In the Old Testament Enoch didn’t die, but was taken by the Lord his body freed from sin and all its effects. St. Paul testifies, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY." (55) "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?" (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Christ Jesus - Enoch and Elijah are taken home. Here we learn that our God and Creator values our human bodies and lives. We are not accidents of evolution - our bodies and lives are sacred - created by God the Father - redeemed by God the Son - sanctified by God the Holy Spirit. With Job trusting our living Redeemer - Jesus - we know that even after worms destroy this body - it shall rise again to new life - and with these eyes we shall behold our Jesus.
As the disciples look on - our Lord Jesus rises - He isn’t taken up by a whirlwind - He rises by His own Divine Power that He had from eternity - now shared with His Humanity that He took on in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Lord was visible present over the Tabernacle during the Exodus - now the same cloud envelopes Jesus. He will be present with us also. He is the first fruits of our resurrected bodies. He is the first fruits of our glorified bodies - for when He appears we shall be like Him.
Elisha is overwhelmed. (Vs.12) He tears his clothes for he has seen the Lord’s holy angels - he is alone - or is he? (Vs.13-14) Elijah’s mantle now becomes his clothing. Standing by the Jordan - Elisha calls on the name of Elijah’s God and striking the water it opens. Just as when Joshua led the children of Israel into the promised land. The Ark of God being carried by the priests opened up a dry path through the Jordan. So now Elisha crosses over to continue the preaching ministry of Elijah. (Vs.15) The sons of the prophets - the seminarians now see that Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha.
King Jesus cast His mantle upon you. He clothes you daily and richly with His royal robes of righteousness for you are baptized into Christ. He is here preaching to you. Forgiving you. Breathing out His Life giving Holy Spirit through Words freeing you from sin. Placing upon your lips His very living flesh and sin destroying blood - that you might be His own - Living under Him here and now in His Kingdom!
This same Jesus that was visibly taken up will soon come again in glory. He will free you from sin and all its effects. He will bring you into a new creation - where only righteousness lives and sin, Satan, and death are forever imprisoned in hell.
Where is Jesus? He is here! Where was He when a crazed gunman murdered fourth graders? He was in those children baptized into His death and resurrection. He was in the hands of Christian teachers protecting their children. He was in the hands of Christian law enforcement officers running into danger. He was in the tears of parents mourning their dead. He was on the lips and hearts of Christians praying. He is here with us always - even to the end of the world. He rules through the cross and suffering. Evil shall not win - we have the Kingd’s Word on it!, Revelation 22:20-21 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
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