Ascension
John 14
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
This Thursday is Ascension Day. One of the oldest celebrations of the church, beginning early in the 4th century. Early on the church recognized the importance of this event. Seeing Christ ascend and the reasons it was necessary. One of them shown here in Jesus’ own words, that he would send the Holy Spirit after his ascension. Earlier in this chapter of John, Jesus also says that his ascension would mean that he would advocate on our behalf before the Father (John 14.13-14).
Seeing these things, not as abstract concepts, but as reality, we find ourselves comforted at the scene in Acts where Jesus leaves the disciples. While they were at first confused and disappointed, they also saw these things as real benefits of the Ascension. The Holy Spirit with us. One who helps us see truth, guides us in wisdom, shows us our need of salvation, connects us to the grace of Jesus, equips us with spiritual gifts for service of Christ and his church, and much more.
Seeing that Christ intercedes for us with the Father. Our prayers do not need to be put through another with sacrifices offered to make God listen. Our prayers go and Christ is there to hear and, in effect, say that these are prayers that we should hear and answer. Not giving us all things we want, but all things we need. But his presence shows us that we are truly heard in our prayers and gives us confidence to bring our prayers to God.
We no longer gather on the Thursday of Ascension, but we still hold on to the importance of the event and its continued celebration. We will be focusing on Ascension as we gather in worship next Sunday. We can prepare ourselves by looking at the accounts of the Ascension, such as in Acts 1.1-11. Taking in the confusion, wonder, and even fear the disciples would have had at that moment. Then remembering the promises made of the Spirit, the advocacy of Jesus, and the promise of return by Christ to restore us to life forever.