June 5, 2011
Ascension Sunday
Joint worship
The Ascension of Jesus is not just about the change of address of Jesus. It is about what Jesus is doing while seated at the right hand of God the Father.
First. At the right hand of God, as the Great High Priest of the Church, Jesus prays for us. It is the custom of the church to pray to God the Father, "in the name of Jesus." It is like Jesus is sitting next to God, on his right hand, and then he has the ear of God. He can tell God our prayers. And so we can be sure that God hears our prayers. THEREFORE, do not be timid, rather pray with boldness. We can pray for anything we want to. We might pray for the wrong thing or something harmful or even something sinful, but Jesus hears our prayers and understands our hearts and minds and knows how to give us what is best. We pray for the Holy Spirit. We pray for those whom we love.
Second. Being at the right hand, in the administrative position of power, Jesus has the power to answer our prayers. THEREFORE, do not doubt the power of Jesus. He is almighty God. Do not get discouraged and think that Jesus cannot answer your prayers. We trust his love and mercy and wisdom to answer our prayers in the best way for us.
Third. He sends to us the Holy Spirit. This is the promise he made to all his followers right before his ascension, so it is of the highest priority. And the Ascended Lord kept that promise. On Pentecost he sent the Holy Spirit to the believers. And he still sends the Holy Spirit to us today. In the power of the Holy Spirit, the first disciples became the witnesses of Jesus, first to Jerusalem, then to Samaria, and finally to the ends of the world. And so the Gospel has come to us. The Holy Spirit has opened our hearts to believe the Good News. And now that we have the Holy Spirit, we too are witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. THEREFORE, do not think that you cannot do evangelism. Do not think that you have no power. It is the Holy Spirit that creates faith. When the disciples learned that fact, it gave them the courage and vision to spread the Gospel message. When we see the work of the Holy Spirit creating faith, the work of the church becomes more interesting, full of "Spirit!"
Fourth. The Ascended Lord is with us. His last words in Mt. 28 are these: "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Jesus is not confined to the small area of Palestine. He is not restricted by space and time and physics. Jesus is equally present with all of us. Being in heaven means that he is right here with us on earth. THEREFORE, do not be afraid of things that happen in your life. Do not despair, do not be depressed, and do not be discouraged. The Shepherd of the sheep is with us right now and always. Jesus came to us when we needed him most, when we were lost in our sin. He was with us when he died on the cross. He was with us when he arose from the grave. There is great comfort knowing we are never alone.
Fifth. The Ascended Lord is coming again. "And while they [the disciples] were gazing into heaven as he [Jesus] went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'" When will Jesus return? No one knows. Jesus Himself said, Mt. 24:36, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven nor the Son, but My Father only." THEREFORE, do not panic when some evangelist predicts the end of the world. But, at the same time, prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. He might come back today. Are you ready? Do you believe that Jesus is your personal Savior? If you believe so, then you are ready. But do you worry that your sins are not forgiven? Do you worry that you are not worthy of heaven? Then remember that Salvation is not based on your works or worthiness, but rather on the work of Jesus on the cross who forgives us our sins and who thought we were worthwhile dying for! When we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Kingdom come," we are praying that Jesus would come back soon. And we are praying that his Kingdom of faith and grace and salvation would come to us right now. Not only to us, but to all who hear the word of the Gospel.
And Sixth. The Ascended Lord blesses us. Listen to Luke 24:50-51. "And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven." When Jesus lifted up his hands to bless them, had the wounds of the nails healed yet? Could the disciples see the scars of the nails? THEREFORE, do not think lightly of the work of Christ. Do not take his blessing casually. By his wounds we have been healed. By his death we have been given new life. He died for us. He lives for us. And so we who have died in Baptism now live with Jesus and live for Jesus.
Alleluia. Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church