Sermon from Ascension Vespers

Ascension Day
May 13, 2010
Luke 24:44-53
I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.

In the name of our risen and ascended Lord Jesus, amen. Why are we surprised? Why are we still surprised? The story of the ascension is what we were told would happen.

Jesus told the disciples that he would be leaving, that he would be returning to heaven. In telling them that news, Jesus told them it would be for their benefit. I depart in order to send the Holy Spirit. If I do not go, then the Holy Spirit will not be given.

And what Gospel lesson do we frequently hear at funerals? I am going to prepare a place for you. Jesus was telling the disciples that his departure to the right hand of God was for the purpose of preparing their room in the Father’s heavenly mansion. I mention it frequently that our Father wants us to be with Him. And He did something about it!

After the resurrection, forty days filled with signs and miracles and more wonderful teachings, Jesus goes back where He came from. As he was leaving, Jesus blessed them. And the disciples worshiped. While they may have been surprised at what their eyes were beholding, they worshiped, knowing that Jesus was doing what he said he would do.

In our lives, there are constant surprises, and they are not always good. We become surprised when the deadline is moved up at work. We become surprised by the traffic accident on the highway that jams things up when we are running late. We are surprised by the broken bone, by the accident, by the croup that causes us to drop everything and run to the emergency room. There are many surprises yet we are unsurprised by these surprises because we grow to learn that life happens. More than that is the realization that God’s presence with his children helps us to cope with all that occurs during the course of our day.

God strengthens us to respond with grace, with mercy, with integrity. I’d like to think that is part of the story of the Ascension. Jesus left the disciples, not because He didn’t love them, but because He did love them. Jesus left the disciples because He was returning to the Father and the Holy Spirit was on the way to be with Jesus’ beloved friends, reminding them of all that Jesus had said and done.

Jesus left, yet since the Holy Spirit was on the way, Jesus wouldn’t be far. Jesus would be present through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And when the clouds swallowed up Jesus, where did the disciples go? They went to the temple, praying and praising God. The followers of Jesus went where they knew he would be.
The followers of Jesus today gather where we know that Jesus will be. We come to the temple, to this sanctuary, where the Word of God is proclaimed, where the grace of God is offered in the Holy Sacraments. We go where our fellow travelers are, to be with them and pray with them and learn with them and serve with them.

Jesus is not gone from us. Through the giving of the Holy Spirit to each of us, we are reminded of how deeply connected the triune God is to us. For my sins Jesus ascended the cross. For your redemption Jesus stepped out of the tomb in triumph. The body and blood of Christ is given and shed for you. Seated at the right hand of God, Jesus is present for His Church. That is his presence- I will be with you always, to the end of the age.

Christ’s ascension is no surprise. The ascension is what we have been waiting for, as it is what Jesus promised would happen. We do not approach the Ascension with tears, sorrow, or sadness. Christ is as close as a breath, is as close as a prayer. Christ has returned to heaven from where he came. Christ has ascended to the place where we will be. This is the promise of our God, the promise that will be kept by God’s grace and mercy. SDG