Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
Today I want to focus on our reading from Acts which narrates Jesus’ ascension into heaven, 40 days after his resurrection.
Ascension Day was last Thursday, 40 days after Easter, and as always on this 7th and last Sunday of Eastertide, we hear the story of Jesus’ final leave-taking from the disciples.
Ascension Day is a Principal Feast of the Church, and while some parishes celebrate grandly, I would offer that for most it feels more like a stepping stone towards Pentecost – the Principal Feast which is takes place 50 days after Easter and is universally celebrated.
So what’s up with Ascension Day (pun intended), and why is it important for us?
I want to start by sharing a few images.
The Ascension has been captured widely in art throughout the centuries.
Here is one of my favorites, a fresco by Giotto from the 12th century. I love how his fingertips are disappearing into heaven.
And then there’s a whole subset of paintings that focus on Jesus’ feet as he rises up. (2 examples – medieval and Salvador Dali)
This image by John Singleton Copley captures the way many artists have portrayed this event, with Jesus surrounded by clouds mid-flight, as it were.
And because we live in the age of the internet, of course there’s a meme for that. (Boing! meme)
Finally, a few last silly ones that are always good for a giggle, the hot air balloon Jesus and my own personal Jesus kite. And I had to include this Facebook post that was going around last week and captures both something about this time we find ourselves in and an understanding of what the Ascension means.
And it hints at why the Ascension is important to us.
Jesus ascending was not abandonment, as he told his friends when he was preparing to leave them. He would still always be with them, just in a new way. It was his life, death, resurrection, AND ascension that transformed them, and it was his ascension that made space for them to do the work they were given to do.
While Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit may get all the glory, it couldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the Ascension. (Kind of like there’s no Easter without Good Friday).
Theologian Ian Paul, in a blog post[1] entitled Why is the Ascension the Most Important Part of Jesus’ Ministry?, laid out several reasons why it is indeed important – two of which I’d like to highlight.
The first is humanity. In the incarnation, the birth of Jesus, God entered into human existence. In the Ascension that humanity is taken up into the presence of God. To paraphrase Hebrews 4:14-16, we now have a high priest to intercede for us to understands our humanity – our challenges, dilemmas, suffering, and weaknesses – and offers us grace.
The second is responsibility. The Ascension marked the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry; he has now given us the responsibility to continue this work, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not distant or indifferent – he has just delegated work to us as he continues to work from home.
And that is really what it comes down to, we are inheritors of the ministry of the Gospel. As the saying goes, faith can move mountains – but don’t be surprised if God hands you a shovel. The Ascension reminds us that we are indeed the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
[1] https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/why-is-the-ascension-the-most-important-part-of-jesus-ministry/?fbclid=IwAR2f5yIrcb-lV_LS9rlLchMsIwWHbFoKnIAYP1IejdYcMrFF_Dx__j3qc0A