It has been forty days now since the first reports of Jesus’ resurrection from the tomb. In that time, he has appeared to numerous of his disciples, in and around Jerusalem.
He has for the most part convinced those that have followed him that he in fact died, and after three days had arisen from the dead; and that he was neither a ghost or apparition, nor merely a man who was perceived dead and then resuscitated.
All the evidence points to the reality that he was God, both completely God and completely man, who in fact died and was resurrected a new corporeal reality.
And on this last physical day on earth for a while, he meets with his disciples to give them last minute instructions.
He tells them: You are to be my witnesses to the world. They are to be his representatives—his ambassadors—proclaiming the truth of who Jesus to the ends of the earth.
They are given a commission to be truth tellers, carrying the good news about Jesus to their families, friends and beyond.
But, they are told to wait—they must be empowered for this ministry—the Holy Spirit will be sent to them to fill them, equip them and empower them that they may fulfill their commission.
But first—before this happens—Jesus must ascend.
That surely was a shock to them. As they stood there gathered on the Mount of Olives, watching Jesus ascend—their thoughts must surely include the questions:
Why must you go? Why couldn’t you stay with us? Wasn’t that your promise—to be with us forever? Wouldn’t this ministry be so much more effective if you remained to lead us? And who is this Holy Spirit? We would much rather have you.
Why indeed did he have to leave?
First of all this was not his home. Earth was not his natural abode, heaven was. he came here on a mission—he left the Father—at the Father’s will—to become incarnate—made man to reconnect humanity to God—to destroy the barriers between God and man—to enable humanity to rise above his station to the level of God’s original intent for them.
He destroyed the barrier of sin, offering himself as the Paschal Lamb, he exchanged his life for ours, paying the price for our sins—love fulfilling justice, defeating the devil, and overcoming the most egregious and painful element of sin: death.
And now he is returning, returning home, wounded but victorious warrior to sit as his father’s right side, being given all power and authority over this new kingdom. That is the reality portrayed in the Christus Rex—the cross upon which Christ is superimposed, garbed in kingly attire.
He arises, fully human, fully God to his throne. As he was heralded by the angels upon his arrival here, he is now heralded by angels as he departs—going home—victorious—his immediate task on earth accomplished.
And as parents launch their children into the world after a time of shepherding and coaching, so now Jesus launches his children—the church– into the world—to be about his business—making him and his promises known to all. We, the church, are to be the only evidence that he was here.
Promising to send the Holy Spirit to enable and empower, and guarantee the success of that ministry—but we will hear about that in a few days hence.
As Jesus leaves us his church here to be his presence here on earth, so he returns to heaven where he becomes the representative of redeemed humanity there. He is the guarantor of our eternal destiny—and a reminder that as earth was not his home—neither is it our true home.
His ascension is the reminder that we are but resident aliens here; that our true citizenship, our country of origin and our final destination in life is in heaven.
So, is the Ascension important? Is it necessary?
It is if we are to believe that Jesus’ death accomplished our salvation. It is if we are to believe that Jesus was truly the son of God. It is if we are to believe that Jesus is truly Lord—that he is sovereign over all creation. it is if we believe that our destiny is ultimately eternal life in heaven—that we are, as C.S. Lewis once said, not bodies with a soul, but rather souls with a human body. It is if the church—all who believe in Jesus– is to be his witness to the world.
St. Augustine described the Ascension as: “that festival which confirms the grace of all the festivals together…for unless the Savior had ascended into heaven, his nativity would have come to nothing…his passion would have borne no fruit for us, and his most holy resurrection would have been useless.”
May we understand and celebrate the significance of this feast today in our lives. And I close with Pope Leo the Great’s thoughts on this feast:
“Since then Christ’s ascension is our uplifting, and the hope of the body is raised, whither the glory of the head has gone before, let us exult, dearly-beloved, with worthy joy and delight in the loyal paying of thanks.
For today not only are we confirmed as possessors of paradise, but have also in Christ penetrated the heights of heaven, and have gained still greater things through Christ’s unspeakable grace than we had lost through the devil’s malice. For us, whom our virulent enemy had driven out from the bliss of our first abode, the son of God has made members of himself and placed at the right hand of the Father, with whom he lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Sermon preached by the Rev. Richard C. Marsden
The Church of the Redeemer
Sarasota, Florida
Ascension Day
29 May 2014