The Ascension and the Theory of Everything

Today marks the 40th day of Easter, Ascension Day. Eye witnesses recorded the bodily return of Jesus into Heaven. “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11, NKJV)

The ascension reminds us that while Jesus walked this earth in time and space, He continues His work on earth while at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. When the world turns to confront its problems, it misses the remedy offered by the death, burial, resurrection and bodily ascension of the Savior. I spoke with a woman recently who admitted she was struggling with sin and was confused, yet while she acknowledged Jesus she would not humble herself and let Jesus deal with her sin and guide her life as Lord. She admitted He reigns, but she would not submit. Perhaps part of the difficulty is we like the idea of Jesus, but don’t upset the happiness of my misery. We don’t want to connect His rulership with our personal world.

Scientists attempt to find faith in a “theory for everything” yet dismisses Him who made all things, in whom all things hold together; but, science has a way of eventually coming around to confirm what scripture has already said. Scientific laws do exist, but they are only right when they line up with what God has already said in his unchanging Word. A few examples that come to mind include the Bible stating the round earth hangs on nothing; that life is in the blood; that stars are innumerable. Science once said the earth was flat and sat on the back of giant animal; people should be bled; the stars are a fixed number (in the thousands). Science has come a long way, so we can wait. Once science catches on, then everything will make sense; but we will wait. 

While we wait, consider how the Psalmist saw a scientific connection between God’s unchanging Word and His rule. Psalm 147:12-18 speak of giving praise to the LORD, “your God” and here are the scientific reasons: the peace He brings and the abundance He gives are the result of His command just as the snow, frost and hail are given then are melted away by His command. “Who can stand before His cold?” reminds me how small I am to presume God should be doing things another way.

Jesus stood in a boat, and commanded the wind and the waves; yet when He entered His own city was said to blaspheme for forgiving sins (Matthew 8-9).Can we blame Peter for wanting to walk with Jesus on the water after seeing what He did with the wind and the waves? If He could do that and forgive men of their sins, then . . . I wish I could speak to that woman again.

Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin, then rose again three days later. That same glorified Christ now sits in Heaven at the Father’s right hand, upholding everything by the Word of His Power. String theory proposes that at the center of everything is a sound . . . I can’t wait for science to catch up. The wisdom of God is amazing.