Turning Disappointment Into Joy

Some of my older readers may remember one of Paul Harvey’s fascinating radio programs. He would tell a familiar story, and then add, “And now, here’s the rest of the story….” Mr. Harvey would then proceed with a fascinating, and little known, aspect of a familiar story. Today I want to do something similar with the Easter story.

The Bible’s description of Christ’s resurrection doesn’t end when Jesus showed Himself alive to about 500 of His followers. Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, He also ascended back into heaven while a large group of His followers watched. I’m getting ahead of myself, though. Before we get to “the rest of the story,” let’s go back to the first time Jesus told His followers that He would be leaving them.

At the last supper Jesus told His disciples that they were going to be hated and persecuted. Then He made this stunning announcement: “But now I am going to Him who sent Me…” (John 16:5). What? The disciples were going to be hunted down like dogs, and on top of that Jesus was leaving them?

The disciples had enjoyed three wonderful years with Jesus. They had seen miracles that none of the great prophets before them had ever seen. They heard the Bible explained by the Author Himself in ways that they would never forget. Jesus had been their constant companion, and they had grown to love Him as their best friend. It is no surprise, then, that Jesus said, “…because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart” (John 16:6). I would think so!

Now, let’s fast forward to time the Jesus actually left them. “…He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God” (Luke 24:51–53). What made the difference? At first they thought that losing Jesus would be a disaster. Now they were thrilled by it.

The difference is what the disciples learned after Christ’s resurrection. Jesus appeared “… to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). A better understanding of the kingdom of God made all the difference.

Here are some of the things that they undoubtedly learned: Jesus is the undisputed King of creation. Peter announced to the Jews a few days later that Jesus had“… been exalted to the right hand of God….” (Acts 2:33). Later, Peter wrote that we are saved “…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him” (1 Peter 3:21–22).

Paul added that we need to understand “what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things…” (Ephesians 1:19–23).

The Bible also explains that: “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:1–3).

The ascension of Christ also proves that the work of forgiveness is complete—nothing needs to be, or can be added to what Jesus did on the Cross. Jesus forever replaced any need for human priests: “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but