Luke 24:50-53 * May 16, 2010
* Sunday after Ascension * Pastor Leyrer
Dear Friends in Christ,
It’s a simple question than anyone will understand, but for those who grew up studying and memorizing Luther’s Small catechism it’s a phrase that brings instant recognition. In the catechism the four little words “what does this mean?” introduce explanations Martin Luther wrote for each of the Ten Commandments, each of the three articles of the Apostle’s Creed and each of the individual petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.
When it comes to the big events in the life of Jesus Christ, however, most are not in need of an explanation. We know from the Bible itself what they mean.
For instance, Christmas means God loved us enough to send His Son into the world as the long promised Savior.
Good Friday means Jesus took upon Himself the punishment that we deserve because of our sinful disobedience to God and died on the cross.
And Easter means that Jesus is alive and well. His resurrection proves to us and the world that He is who He said He is – our Savior – and that He successfully accomplished His divine mission of restoring us into a right relationship with our Heavenly Father. Easter means, in His own words, “because I live, you also will live.” So we now live a fulfilled life in the present and will live a glorious life forevermore in heaven.
Birth… death… resurrection. These are the big meaningful events in the life of Jesus and the framework on which our Christian faith is built. But there is one more. We took note of it this past Thursday as we gathered for a special service of song and Scripture. Using that old catechism question to guide us, let’s consider more deeply
THE ASCENSION: WHAT DOES THIS
MEAN?
1. It means Jesus’ work is fully
completed
2. It means the torch has been
passed
3. It means everything is under
control
This doesn’t apply to us, but for those who live in a land governed by a king or queen no event is more meaningful or celebrated than the coronation, or crowning, of a new leader. For many it is a once-in-a-lifetime affair, so nothing is held back from making it a grand, glorious and memorable occasion.
But it is more than just pomp and circumstances or an excuse for a party. Behind all the hoopla is the understanding that something tremendously important is taking place. For the people, coronation means a new beginning. For the crowned, it is the consummate act of a life prepared and dedicated to serving others. For both, it is a declaration of royalty and the relationship that exists between the ruled and the newly crowned ruler.
It is in a similar but far loftier way that we view the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ forty days after Easter. And it is not difficult to understand how throughout the centuries believers have equated the ascension of Jesus with thoughts of coronation. If you reflect on the hymns we are singing today you’ll find any number of references to thrones and scepters and Christ as our heavenly, conquering king. These are terms reserved for royalty. And they rightly apply to Jesus Christ this day and forever.
The Evangelist Luke simply and concisely records the event
itself it in the final words of his Gospel:
When he had led them out to the
vicinity of
Think back to Good Friday. The way in which Jesus left the disciples then filled them with fear and dread and sadness. Their response now was markedly different. As Jesus slowly, visibly left them, gradually ascending until a cloud hid Him from their sight, the disciples responded with worship, joy and praise.
Such a response was not limited to eleven men roughly six weeks after Easter. It is the same for every disciple of Jesus Christ in every age. Worship, joy and praise is indeed the order of the day, because the Ascension has deep meaning for us.
So what does the Ascension mean?
It means, first of all, that Jesus’ earthly work was completed. And, we might add, completed for us. The Ascension, therefore, is the assurance of our personal salvation. The coronation of Christ as He returned to His throne on high was the last and final step of our redemption. Like a victorious king who has conquered all enemies in a far off land, Christ was returning home undefeated. And we are both the beneficiaries and sharers of His work. Where He is now, we one day will be.
It is against the backdrop of His ascension that we
understand the full comfort of Jesus words to us: “In my father’s house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I
am.” So we sing with confidence,
“On Christ’s ascension I now build, the
hope of my ascension…”
The Ascension of Jesus means, secondly, that the spread of the Gospel now becomes the responsibility of His followers. That’s us. In other words, the torch has been passed.
It’s a well worn and often used illustration that I know many of you have heard before, but it makes a valid point, so for that reason we’ll share it once again.
The story is told (it’s not in the Bible) that when Jesus returned to heaven he was given a grand and glorious welcome by all the saints and angels. Gabriel especially welcomed Him, and then asked how the spread of the Gospel would take place now that He was back and visibly absent from the world. Jesus answered by saying He had a handful of devoted disciples on the earth, and that to them He entrusted the spread of the Gospel to all the world.
Gabriel, who knew the frailty of men, looked troubled and asked, “But what if they fail? What’s your plan then?” To which Jesus replied, “I have no other plan.”
The point of that little story is clear. We are the plan. The spread of the Gospel has been entrusted to those who know it. The torch has been passed. So while we glory in the Ascension and what it means regarding our personal salvation, it is also a reminder of the glorious responsibility we have while we remain on this earth.
Practically speaking, the Ascension is our encouragement to keep praying hard, contributing generously and working in whatever ways are open to us for the spread of the Gospel. Likewise, the Ascension is our encouragement to live our lives as Christian witnesses and, in the words of Jesus, to “let our lights shine before men” in such a way that may cause them to take notice and investigate the hope that is within us.
George Barna is a contemporary writer who might best be described as a Christian pollster or statistician. Over the years he’s churned out lots of books that survey the spiritual landscape of our country. His most recent book (which I’ve not read except for a review) is the result of research gleaned from more than 30,000 personal interviews.
Based on his findings he divided Christians into two camps. The larger of the two – approximately 80% – he calls “Casual Christians.” He describes them as deriving a lot of comfort from their faith, but don’t necessarily see their faith as a driving force in their lives or having a significant impact on the way in which they do things.
The other much smaller camp – approximately 20% – he refers to as “Captive Christians.” He describes them as those who see their faith making a demand on them, a demand they willingly accept. Their Christian faith is the aspect of their life which for them is the most real, and it becomes the grid through which every other aspect of their life must pass.
I don’t know how you like his terms or where you see yourself in his designations, but this much we do know: The Ascension of Jesus Christ reminds us that we are the plan and invites us to respond with lives of captive, committed service. That’s what we see in the first disciples – and the result was a spirit or worship and praise and joy.
Finally, the ascension of Jesus is the assurance of His rule over all things and that everything is under control. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians reminds us that not only does Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords rule over all things, but He does so specifically in the interest of His church and His children.
This is especially helpful to remember during a time of personal trial or when things just don’t seem to make a lot of sense. And those times come.
When our faith in a just world gets shattered or our personal lives are punctuated by the unexpected and unwanted…
When the breadwinner in the family through no fault of his or her own and despite making every effort to reverse the situation find themselves in a prolonged period of unemployment and dealing with the stresses and strains and self-doubts that so often accompany it…
When it becomes apparent that our life is heading in a different direction than we planned or hoped for and the uneasy feeling that this isn’t really what I signed up for begins to come over us…
Then let us remember this: Our God reigns.
And although we may not always understand why He does what
He does, of this we can be sure: Nothing
happens in our world or in our lives that does not first pass through His
hands. Paul was not just blowing smoke
but speaking verbally inspired, divine, truth in Romans 8:28 when he reminds us
that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have
been called according to his purpose.”
And the knowledge that Christ, our ascended King, is ultimately in control fills us with joy and peace and moves us to worship and praise Him.
How important is the Ascension of Jesus Christ? Here’s one indication. When our forefathers at
Look at it as you leave this morning. Let it remind of you of the meaning of Christ’s ascension for your life…
He leaves us to prepare a place for us in heaven where we await our own personal coronation day. He leaves us behind temporarily to spread the Gospel message to every land, nation, tribe and tongue. And He leaves behind in us a spirit of joy and peace knowing that as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He rules the world in truth and grace.
That’s what the Ascension means. Amen.