+ The Ascension of Our Lord – May 21st, 2020 +
Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
Beautiful Savior Lutheran
Milton, WA
In his famous book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
Similarly, Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, that God has put eternity into the hearts of man.
Ever since our exile from Eden, humanity has been filled with this sense of longing for a home. Longing to be back, walking in God’s presence in the cool of the day. Longing for an eternal, perfect, restored creation.
I’m sure each of us in different ways have experienced something of this longing lately. A longing to get out of the house, to go to a favorite restaurant or park. A longing to be with friends and family. A longing to be in the House of the Lord with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jesus’ disciples felt that too, I think. As Jesus ascends, they seem to be filled with a sense of longing.
“Men of Galilee,” the angel said to them, “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.”
We’re not told what the disciples were thinking as they looked up into the cloud that hid Jesus from their sight. But perhaps they longed to go with him. Or longed that he would return quickly. Perhaps they longed for him to stay a bit longer and make earth into heaven. Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
As it usually goes, in a way they were right, but in another way they were wrong. It is good, after all, to long to be with Jesus. “Come, Lord Jesus,” we pray. And it is good to long for the fulfillment of those words we pray for in the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy Kingdom Come.”
Our longing, however, and theirs, is not to be satisfied or found in any earthly kingdom, no matter how good it may be.
St. Augustine once said, “Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until we find our rest in Thee.”
This is, at least in part, what Jesus is doing in his ascension. Jesus ascends, not to be absent, not to take away his presence from us, but to fill his church, to fill you his people, with his abiding and eternal presence. We see a preview of this in the miracle of Pentecost. Jesus ascends
The Ascension did not take Jesus away….It brought heaven near….His homecoming has made heaven a home for us who still walk far from home” (O.P. Kretzmann, Homecoming in The Pilgrim, Concordia Publishing House, 1944: p. 14-15)
Jesus’ ascension isn’t like a going away party. In his ascension Jesus isn’t leaving his church. Jesus ascends to the right hand of God. A position of power and authority. It’s a grand homecoming. A victorious, joyful day.
Christ’s saving work is completed. He’s finished his course. Ran the race. Won the battle. Defeated the ancient foe. Charged into the jaws of our sin and death and come out alive on the other side of the grave. And he did it all for you.
Jesus ascends to prepare a place for us, to open what was closed. To remove the sword-wielding cherubim from Eden’s doors. To rule and reign by his death and resurrection, not over an earthly kingdom, but an eternal kingdom without end.
Jesus ascends, as St. Paul says, that he might fill the church with himself. Jesus ascends to fill his church and his people with his presence. Jesus ascends to abide with us in his Word. To bring heaven to earth in the Supper. To open heaven to us in Holy Baptism.
As Jesus ascends, we are given a hope and an answer to our ancient longing. A longing that is satisfied in Jesus’ death for you. A hope that is secure in Jesus’ resurrection for you. A hope that in Jesus’ ascension, he has put all things under his feet - this disease that plagues our world, our sin, even death itself. The last enemy has been destroyed. Our longing is answered in him who bore our disease and carried our sorrows.
This is why Jesus lifts his hands in blessing as he ascends. Jesus ascends to bless his disciples. To bless his church. To bless you, his beloved, baptized, redeemed ones, as we long for his return in glory.
A blessed Ascension Day to each of you…
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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