The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-18
THE sUNDAY-sCnOOL LESSON.
May 10. 19O1-Jesus Ascends-Luke
sxiv, 44-53; Acts l., Ill.

sxiv, 44-53; Acts L, Ill.
An old legend says st. Luke was a painter.
Whether that be true or not he shows genuine
artistic skill in the series Of pictures which
make up his book of Acts. His art in the use
Of words is nowhere more evident than in his
noble delineation of the ascension scene. " . .
On the last of the forty days. during which He
had shown himself alive by many infallible
proofs, Jesus leads His disciples to well-remem-
bered Olivet. They go down the deep chasm.
and across the brook Kedron. past Gethsemane-
along the very way by which, strewn with gar
ments and palms. He had once approached the
city. . . ? The text reads: And being as
sembled together with them:' margin: Eating
together with them This was the real last
meal. Under some grateful shade, beside some
fountain. they sat. Previous appearances helped
to wear away the preternatural in Jesus person.
. . The conversation is worthy Of this holy
trysting place. In solemn terms Jesus renews
| the commission of His apostles, assuring them
| that their authority proceeds from One TO whom
all power is given in heaven and earth. He
| shows them the world Evidences of the field OF
their operations; the issue of the acceptance or
rejection of their message; the inspiring assur-
ance of the constancy Of His presence. .
Personal safety would have suggested immediate
| flight from Jerusalem. Two days would have
taken them to happy Galilee. with its compare
| tive safety, Ear from the melancholy scenes or
the Savior's betrayal, humiliation and death.
But Jesus offsets the dictates of heart and flesh
with His direct command that they should not
| denart from Jerusalem" . He renews that
| promise which they had already often heard
from His lips. The glorious efusion OF the ever
blessed spirit is just at hand. They must await
it in Jerusalem. The inveterate, hereditary mar
rowness of the current Hebrew thought betrays
itself even in these favored disciples, as they
ask whether. at the time of the ehusion of
the Holy Spirit the temporal power will be re-
stored to Israel" o the consummate patience
of this ideal Teacher! What forbearance He
shows toward their sluggish apprehension!
. One of England's immortal preachers,
Frederick w. Robertson. has a Characteristic
sermon entitled The Christians Progress by
Oblivion of the Past" There is a progress, too,
by the oblivion Of the future. 1t Is a blessed
providence we cannot know the times and sea-
sons. Jesus affirmed the efusion near, that His
disciples might be encouraged: He did not re-
veal the precise moment. that they might be
| continuously alert. . . . I've shall be wit
nesses 10 me unto the uttermost part OF the
earth" He offsets their racial plans and pref
| udices by the very terms of their apostolic COM
mission, which gives them a glimpse of the
worldwide dimensions of His coming kingdom.
. Now follows that radiant scene, treas
ured legacy Of the church in each successive
| age. Jesus lifts His hands in benediction duke
| xiv. SOD, and while in the act He is parted
from them; literally He stood aside from them
Qbid. SD. as the minister stands apart from
his congregation, in plainest view Of all. Each
disciple has an equally favorable opportunity to
| observe the spectacle. Every eye is upon Him.
while they beheld." CActs) His hands still
extended in benediction, He was taken up"
| (Acts) HE was carried up" Ouke.) BY q
convoy of angels. undoubtedly. 1t is affirmed
| that Jesus return shall be like His departure.
On His return all the holy angels will be with
! Him. So they were on His departure. CPsa.
xviii. I'D A cloud receives Him out OF their
| sight. No ordinary cloud. this, His return is 10
be in a lame of fire.. His departure is In a
supernatural radiance. the ~efulgent flame of
the divine presence. The glory of God the Fa-
| tier covers the retreating form Of God the Son.
IL is a spectacle the majesty Of which shall
only be equaled by the second appearance or
the great God and our Savior. Upward goes
the triumphal procession He leads captivity
captive. and receives gifts for men. Such
was Jesus assumption-His taking up into
heaven. Mark says He sat on the right hand Of
| God. Luke afhrms tho apostles worshiped Him.
In Acts he describes them as riveted to earth
and gazing into the heavens long after the glo-
rious scene had vanished. The Savior. mindful
Of His disciples even in the ecstasy Of His tri-
umph, detached two angels from His train to
break their spell and sent them forth TO their
| dangerous but delightsome task Of witnessing
for Him, with the comforting assurance that
His return was certain and should be. in all
respects. as glorious as His departure had been.
Luke puts the finishing touch TO the picture
when He describes the disciples az returning 10
Jerusalem with great JOY.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
When Lord Brougham was asked IL he had
read a certain historical volume he answered.
with a dash OF egotism. perhaps "No. 1 am too
busy making history TO read history Jesus
did not satisfy His disciples historical curlosi-
ty. He would have them make history. He
| would not tell them when. II ever, the kingdom
was to be restored 10 Israel. He babe them be
His busy witnesses to the uttermost part OF the
earth. . Jesus considerateness OF His dis
ciples is touching and inspiriting. Even amid
the eclat OF His %triumphal reception to glory
He forgets not the men OF Galilee who gaze
! wistfully after Him. Angels are His ministers.
to gently break their spell and 10 comfort and
assure their minds with promise OF the certainty
and glory OF His return May We not hope that
He is thus still tenderly attentive TO us as in
dividuals? sss The corporal presence OF Je-
sus and the spiritual presence Of the Holy
Ghost. simultaneously upon the earth. would
have been necessarily entagonistic to each other
In their influence upon the human mind. The
bodily abiding Of Jesus would have fostsred a
certain matertansao tendency In religion Pill