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That was some morning! John 20:1-23

· They still did not understand the need for him to die and raise from the dead. (9)

· The empty tomb is discovered by Mary followed by Peter and John.

· Understanding was lacking.

· Jesus first appears to Mary Magdelene. Instructs her to tell the disciples that he is going to ascend to the Father. (17)

· Jesus appears to the disciples prepares them for the Holy Spirit. (22)

· Their mission becomes clarified at the ascension and receiving of the Spirit.

Could it be possible that the glory of seeing the resurrected Lord will pale in comparison to the ascending Lord just 40 days later?

Read Acts 1:3-11

Prepare to receive the Holy Spirit. (5, 8)

· Receiving glory as Jesus prayed. John 17:20-23

· Indwelling of God that manifests in unity and love.

o Where the church is in unity and love in glorifying God there is great fruit.

o Where there is not unity and love and man is being glorified there is a hindered church—scripture is honest about this reality.

Jesus ascends in a cloud of glory. (9)

· Seen by many scholars as the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:5.

· The glory of the Lord when seen on earth can only be described as something brilliant like a cloud.

o How God lead and protected Israel by a cloud (fire by night) on their exodus from Egypt. Exodus 13:21

o A cloud enveloped the dedication of the Tabernacle that Moses did not dare enter. Exodus 4:34-35

o A cloud descended upon the Temple in a manner that Solomon and the people were in awe and worshiped. 1 Kings 8:10-11

o Even in the prophetic description of the future coming of the “Ancient of Days” that his coming was best described as “…coming with the clouds of Heaven…” Daniel 7:13

· The disciples refer to the ascension as the great moment of glory—the SOF concerning Jesus:

1 Timothy 3:16b “…He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit,[a] was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”

The church is birthed with a cloud of glory. Acts 2:1-4

· Fulfilling Jesus’ prayer John 17:22.

· The unity and love of God is evidence of this continued glory.

The church awaits the return of the King of Glory. Acts 1:9-11

· We anticipate Jesus’ glorious return. (11)

o From the East. Zechariah 14:4; Ezekiel 43:4; 44:1-2

o Daniel 7:13

· His arrival will usher in His Kingdom once and for all.

Awaiting the King of Glory changes our approach to life now! 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

· We approach grief and hardships differently because of Jesus’ resurrection and awaiting our own.

· We know his return will be glorious like his ascension to His throne.

· We will get to join him in the glory of the cloud just like Him. (17)

o This will be a glory that is unlike the glory we now experience. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

· Be encouraged! (18)

How do we give glory while we await his return?

While we the church await Jesus’ glorious return, we proclaim Him to others here and beyond out of a spirit of unity and love that is to His glory.

Glory received. Glory given. Awaiting an even better glory! Acts 1:8

· Modeled and prayed for by Jesus. John 17:1-5

· Receiving glory through the gospel and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

· Glory given in proclaiming Him in love.

· Awaiting his glorious return.