The Ascension - the truth is out there, up there and in here - Rev Allister Lane
READINGS: ACTS 1: 1-11 AND EPHESIANS 1: 20-23
Sermon on 16 May 2021
In recent weeks (since Easter) we’ve been looking at:
the proof for the Resurrection event
how we live as witnesses to resurrection life
and how to extend the invitation for others to experience the hospitality of God, in Christ.
Next week is Pentecost, when we celebrate the coming of the promised Holy Spirit.
Today we celebrate the Ascension.
We don’t tend to make a big deal of the Ascension. In Indonesia, Ascension Day is a Public Holiday! Not in New Zealand. With Ascension Day falling mid-week, most of us were probably unaware what day it was. (It was Thursday.)
And so, it can seem we jump from the Resurrection to the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the Ascension isn’t a big deal. But our Ecumenical Creeds explicitly include the Jesus-event we’ve heard read today:
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.”
-Apostles’ Creed
Today’s first reading is from the beginning of the Book of Acts – which is the continuing story Luke tells about Jesus. The book of Acts is written to address ‘the unconvinced’. Luke is carefully setting out the events of Jesus and his community, to show to the reader the truth of God’s revelation.
Today, I want to show how todays’ readings tell us the truth is
out there,
up there, and
in here
1. Firstly, the truth is 'out there'
(tagline for a TV series in the '90s called the 'X files' - remember that...?)
As I mentioned already, we’ve been talking about the ‘proof’ of the resurrection event. In today’s reading, Luke writes:
he (Jesus) presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs
It is the eyewitness experiences that convince those, who were every bit as sceptical as we are today about a claim someone has been resurrected.
So, the truth is ‘out there’ – these were historical events, that people saw for themselves and lived their lives as witnesses to all that these events mean.
2. The truth is 'up there'
The disciples ask Jesus a question about the kingdom (which really mistakes the nature of the kingdom) and Jesus’ answer...?
His Ascension.
Jesus is enthroned at the right hand of God. This is what we are told in our second reading today, from Ephesians:
[God] 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… (Eph 1:20-21)
Do we understand the meaning of this? What does this biblical image of Jesus seated at God’s right hand tell us?
Three important things:
Jesus is in direct relationship with God the Father
Jesus prays for us to the Father
Jesus is the Lord of all creation
In emphasising this image of where Jesus is, I don’t want us to mistakenly conclude that Jesus is now absent from us.
Has he left us…? Yeah, nah.
Remember in John’s Gospel where Mary heard Jesus speak her name? (John 20:11-17) And she recognises him, alive once more? She must’ve gripped him tight; she never wants to lose him again. What does Jesus say to Mary...?
Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ (John 20:17)
Even if I stay here, my presence with you will be limited - you’ll need to go eat/sleep. And my presence to others will be limited. But if I ascend, I will be present to you in a whole new way; a fuller/greater way. And I’ll be present to everyone this way.
Jesus is really saying to Mary:
Mary let me ascend - let go of my hand, so that I’ll be fully present in your heart. And this way I will never leave you.
Jesus says to all of us: you can be in the darkest place (prison, depression, rejected by others) and I will be with you.
3. The truth is 'in here'
Jesus promises, the Holy Spirit is coming into your life. I’m going to be with the Father, but I will still be present to you:
The Holy Spirit is coming here (these events go together).
The Holy Spirit comes into your heart to make the things I've said and done real - for YOU.
The truth dwells in your heart.
The truth is out there - but do you feel it for real in your heart?
The truth is that I'm up there – alive in the presence of God the Father and available to you always - but do you feel it for real in your heart?
The truth is I'm actively governing all creation - but do you feel it for real in your heart?
This truth ought to give us: confidence, good humour, grace (we can forgive offences), strength (we don't worry about being criticised) . When we live like this we are witnesses to the fact that the Holy Spirit makes the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension real in our heart.
As disciples of Jesus, we are not to stand around staring toward heaven, trying to figure out where Jesus has disappeared to.
Reassured that Jesus is ascended and Lord of all, you can invite the Holy Spirit to make your faith in Him real, and you will experience joy and hope.
The truth will set you free.
We are free to be witnesses; to continue the ministry of Jesus. We are sent into the world to live as Jesus lives, to love as Jesus loves, to give as Jesus gives.
We are never alone.
The presence of the ascended Jesus is with us, our Lord of all creation. The power of the Holy Spirit lives inside us, equipping us with love and empowering us for service.
AMEN.