Acts 1:1-11.                         Jesus commissions us to go as he ascends                             8/5/16

(1)  In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach {2} until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. {3} After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. {4} On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. {5} For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." {6} So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" {7} He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. {8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." {9} After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. {10} They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. {11} "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Today’s readings remind us of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ up into heaven. But the interesting thing is that they say very little about the ascension, but a lot about Jesus commissioning his followers and their reactions to all of this. It would seem, as we heard this reading, very little has changed over the years. Christ’s followers both then and now, keep asking all kinds of theological questions, trying to delve into areas that we have no need to know: we keep looking to the skies hoping for who knows what; maybe some other special revelation. Too readily we like those first disciples forget the whole purpose of Christ’s ascension; to sit at the right hand of the Father interceding for us; and to ensure that we set about being his witnesses to those around us.

So there is much for us to think about as we remember Christ’s ascension. Some of it will hopefully, shake us out of our complacency; yet at the same time encouraging and sending us to do what God would have us do.

Now all of this reminds me of a few years ago!! when I left school at the ripe old age of 16. Harvest had just begun and dad told me that I had to go out and drive the header. Now for me at that age, and with no experience, that was very scary. Such large equipment; so much responsibility. There was so much to think about and keep one’s eye on, that I didn’t think I could do it. Yes, dad had told me all that I had to do and watch out for, but I wanted to be able to avoid having to do it. Dad went with me on the first round of the paddock and then said he would leave me to it and go and do something else.

It was then that the thoughts got all the worse; he can’t leave me to do this on my own. How am I going to cope? What if something goes wrong? I can remember asking all kinds of questions; what if? How about? Wanting to know plenty, but inevitably try to stall off having to do what had to be done. Even once he had gone, I can remember continually looking back to see if he was coming back. I was nervous and hesitant.

But I managed, and became more and more competent as time went on. Eventually, that year already, I was able to cope with even rough country and difficult conditions. Yes, I made a few mistakes along the way, but thankfully they were not serious ones.

Now isn’t this how it is so often in our Christian lives as well. We know Jesus Christ is for real. We know the importance of his death for us and for our salvation; but we hesitate to be the kind of people he wants us to be. We are nervous and unsure; even scared at times; at other times we are afraid that we will make a fool of ourselves. Mostly we don’t think that we can do what our Lord is asking of us. So we try to find ways to avoid the real issues and purposes of life.

As a result, we get caught up in endless questioning about things that are not important. Wanting to change things to make it easier for ourselves. We want to focus our attention on ourselves and our work and play: filling our lives with endless other pursuits of selfish enjoyment so that we haven’t got time to think about and do what is important.

We look for Jesus presence and miracles instead of stepping out to do what we are called to do. We want to see a united, peaceful and ‘successful’ church before we feel confident to do what we know is expected of us. But whatever it is, none of us are fully prepared to step out and do what Christ would have us do.

But again Jesus assures and encourages us, his followers, in the midst of our uncertainties to get on with the task that is before us. He encourages us to not get caught up in endless questioning and worrying about less than vital things. There is work to be done. “You are to be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth. But you are not on your own. My going means that I will send another power who will be able to help you wherever you are.”

He says. But you will receive power from on high. That is why he ascended: so that he could give us that power that would enable us, wherever and in whatever part of the world we are, to be able to be his witnesses. So we can get on with the job that is before us; not because we have the ability and the power, but because his Spirit has. His Spirit will achieve great things as we set about being his witnesses.

But here again is where so many today are getting off the track. They are looking for the Spirit’s power to give them the big and the spectacular: they are looking for the Spirit to give something extra, over and above what God has already given us. They think that this is what will make the Church more alive and make it grow. Yet Scripture is quite clear that the Holy Spirit works through the Word and the Sacraments. For it is there as the Good News of Jesus’ death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, is proclaimed, that there the Holy Spirit can draw people to believe in Jesus Christ and be saved. What did Jesus say in the Gospel reading?

(Luke 24:46-48)  He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

That means that we ourselves will see, and use those things as of greatest importance in our own lives and in our mission to others. Divine Service: Word and Sacrament; Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection will be all important for us. When that happens it will also be that which we will want others to be a part of.

His promise is that as we witness to that, then the Holy Spirit’s power will be at work. Yes, in much the same way as Jesus greatness and glory was shown in his suffering and death; in the lowly and seemingly negative things of life, so also The Holy Spirit is at work in the ordinary and the mundane. So we don’t have to wait around until we have it all together in our brain, and we are feeling on top of it all, and we have something spectacular to present to others.

All we need to do is plainly and simply tell of Jesus and how important his death on the cross is for us all. As people are called back, to take, Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins seriously, there the Spirit will quietly but powerfully work in their lives. There he is able to take people who are in trouble and on track to an eternity in Hell, and give them life and salvation. Nothing is more powerful than that. Yes, it happens as each of us in our own quiet ways shares the Good News of Jesus Christ.

So we can get on with the task that Jesus has set down for us: whoever we are and wherever we are at in life. We can now live and work for the benefit of others, and know that because Jesus has ascended, he has also sent his Holy Spirit to work his power through our weak and fumbling attempts of sharing the importance of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. So we can go forward with confidence and be willing to do what is being asked of us. Not because we have the power to change peoples lives; but because the Spirit will do that in his own quiet but powerful way.

At the same time, we know that we have failed in the past to do this, and we will in the future also fail to do what we aim to always do; but here Jesus’ ascension still encourages us. For we now know that Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. He has a place prepared for us, won for us by his death and resurrection, waiting for us. So we can pick ourselves up and get on with being his witnesses even after we have failed. For as we look to Jesus, his Spirit will continue to be there with us to help and guide us all the way along.

Let us remember that Jesus ascension does not mean that we have been left all alone. His Holy Spirit is here amongst us in the Word and in the Sacraments working his power for our good and for the good of his kingdom. So let us keep his commission and his promises ever before us as we seek to live and be the witnesses that he wants us to be. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish