ASCENSION DAY - 13 MAY 2010

"The Anointed Messiah" - The message of the Ascension of Christ according to Psalm 2:1-12

While the OT prophets most of the time saw the first and second coming of Christ as one glorious triumph of the Messiah, we as New Testament Christians know the history of the lowly King, sacrificed for our sins - and we still expect the powerful One who will crush his enemies, to bring about the reign of peace. We know the almighty Christ who now is at the right hand of the Father!

According to the second Psalm, the glitz, glamour, and temporary impressiveness of the world pales into insignificance when compared to the Anointed One of God. In fact, the high and mighty and their scheming do not impress the Lord. He simply scoffs at their foolish pride. What they do not realise is that nations, rulers, powers, authorities, and governments come and go, but the Lord's Anointed One cannot be sidelined or ignored for long.

Ps 2: 1 – 5
1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.
3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."

There are some significant aspects about the Anointed One (meaning: Christ):
He is anointed: This means that he is set apart with ability and authority for a specific purpose and plan: He is the King. Much more than a regular prophet or priest, Jesus is anointed as our glorious, all powerful King.

Ps 2: 7 – 9: I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron sceptre; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

Jesus is none other than God's Son: A Son who was given in love to the world so that we might be saved.
He is the heir of all things. He is more than just a good man. He is almighty God personified.
We have to choose our response to him – and it is possible to make the wrong choice.

Pay attention to the following warning:
Ps 2: 10 – 12: Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

So what should we do?
1. The poet reminds us that Jesus will return and when he does, he will establish a kingdom that will endure and he will enjoy a reign that cannot be ignored.

2. We must choose to have genuine and appropriate reverence, respect, and awe for God. He isn't baby Jesus in the manger or a tame prophet that we can manipulate. He is the living, awesome, and amazing Messiah, at the right hand of God, in a position of power and authority.

3. The first ascension to enthronement on earth on Mount Zion is when Jesus was lifted up on the cross. He is not King only by power, but he is essentially king by sacrifice. The second ascension was to the throne of glory in heaven to rule, protect and intercede for his church, until he returns when he will ascend to a place were he will establish his reign for ever, and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Thank you Lord! We worship you! We acclaim you! We thank you! We stand in awe before you!

Crown Him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
who died and rose on high.
Who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.