Sermon 12th May 2024 – The Ascension
Text Ephesians 1:15-23 – Ascending, not leaving
Leaving home is never an easy reality for parents
watching their child take that next step in life. But we realise it is a
necessary step in their maturity even though we would love them to stay at
home. That step in life is seen as leaving home when in fact it is entering
adulthood. This is what you have been preparing them for with their education
at school and at home.
Likewise, it would not have been easy for the
disciples to watch Jesus ascend into heaven as to them it appears that he is
leaving them. But we read in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians today that this was
a necessary part of Jesus’ mission to us where he says:
God put this power to work 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 above every name that
is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all
things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church,
which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
In order for Jesus to sit at the right hand of God he
had to depart his earthly life. But he promised he would not leave us alone but
would send to us power from on high being the Holy Spirit who would come at
Pentecost. The Ascension of Jesus was necessary for Jesus to enter into to
heaven to sit at God’s right hand and rule the earth so that the Holy Spirit
would come. A power from on high that would come upon God’s children to the
extent that Jesus says Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do
the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these,
because I am going to the Father.
But we can see how difficult it was for his disciples
to understand this. We read that they were focused on the wrong thing. After
Jesus ascended, his disciples remained there, standing in place, looking, and
gazing up into heaven.
Two angels had to come and ask them, “Why do you stand
looking up toward heaven?” and urged them on their way back to Jerusalem. It’s
very similar to the angels’ message to the women at Jesus’ grave on that
Resurrection morning; “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Are we
guilty sometimes of just waiting for Jesus to return rather than going out
there and being witnesses of what we have received?
By ascending we are urged to take up Christ’s call to
receive the power of the Holy Spirit and become witnesses of Christ’s love and
saving power to the very ends of the earth. As disciples of Jesus, we lead
lives full of meaning and importance even if it is not recognized or
acknowledged by the world around us where we live. We are Christ’s Body here on
earth and bring the love of God in Jesus to all people, wherever we go, in
every moment of every day: in the grocery store, in traffic, at home, at work,
while tucking a child into bed, hugging an old friend, visiting the sick,
laughing with a neighbor, or comforting one who suffers. Jesus is present in all of it.
With the power of the Holy Spirit we can even step
boldly into an unknown future with God by our side. The power of the Holy
Spirit that comes because of the Ascension of Jesus is a powerful presence of
God.
But the true power of the Holy Spirit is the faith
that he brings to us to believe that Jesus truly is reigning in this world as
Paul says:
God has given Jesus the immeasurable greatness of his
power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put
this power to work 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 above every name that is named, not only in this age
but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has
made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the
fullness of him who fills all in all.
Even though we cannot see him or the authority he has
this is part of the mystery of our power as Jesus explained to Doubting Thomas:
Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus
told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who
have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Ascension is not about Jesus leaving but a
transferal of power and authority that is given to us by the power that comes
from on high. And we need to understand this power we have so we don’t become
like the disciples that were just standing there looking up into the clouds. We
are called be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth. Jerusalem, in our homes and churches Judea – in our
work, sport, neighbourhood and Samaria – to those who have hurt us – loving our
enemies.
The world needs us more than ever to be the presence
of Jesus. It’s so easy to feel defeated. What can we do with the increase in
crime, terrorism, violence in the world. No one listens to the church anymore. That
may be true. Maybe the world doesn’t listen to us but that doesn’t mean our
work is not necessary.
Jesus is at the right hand of God and he has empowered
us – empowered the church – to be his healing presence in the world to bring
about justice. To bring about hope. To bring about love and peace. There will
be a time when we will look to the clouds but that day will be very evident. It’s
not now. Our time is here where God has placed us. That was Peter’s mistake at
the Transfiguration when he wanted to stay on the mountain-top but Jesus led
them back down the mountain. But one day – maybe in our time – maybe not – we
will hear those words from the book of Revelation:
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye
will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth will mourn
because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.
When that happens there will be vindication for those
who have been ridiculed or persecuted because they have put their faith in
Jesus. Jesus himself says: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On
the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing
of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on
the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take
place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing
near.”
But we don’t have to wait to rejoice – our redemption
is now. Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing
near. How sweet that day will be when our Lord returns in the clouds to bring
us home.
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