Dear Friends in Christ,
“And [Jesus] led [the Apostles] out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” (Luke 24:50-53)
Imagine that your best friend and mentor was leaving and you had no idea if you were going to see them again on this side of heaven. That is the situation the Apostles found themselves in at the Ascension of Jesus. Yet, Luke records that “they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” They are filled with joy and bless God at the “departure” of Jesus. There is not a hint of sadness on the part of Peter and the others. There is only excitement.
This is because the Ascension of Jesus is not a “goodbye”. He ascended to the right hand of the Father. (Acts 2:33) Jesus has not disappeared. He has taken His rightful place as the king of the universe. Now He rules over all things, and He rules them for our good. (Romans 8:28)
The knowledge that Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God and the power of the Holy Spirit fill the Apostles not with sadness and fear, but with joy and boldness. And it does the same for us.
Saint Paul says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)
Jesus Christ, Your Savior, God, and King, rules the universe with your wellbeing and salvation on His mind. You have nothing to fear, and every reason to rejoice as you patiently await His final appearance. May we all rejoice and bless God as we live life under His blessed reign.
In Christ,
Joshua Theilen
Assistant Pastor