[45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." [50] Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. [51] While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. [52] And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:45-53
"Ascension Day is the coronation celebration of our Lord as He is proclaimed to be King of the universe. Jesus' ascension to the Father is His entrance to the greater existence beyond the confines of time and space, being no longer bound by the limitations of His state of humiliation. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, which Luther correctly taught is everywhere, having again taken up the power and authority that were His since before time. Yet our Lord is present with us who remain bound by time and space. He is with us as true God and true man, exercising His rulership in the Church through the means of grace which He established: His Word and Sacraments. We mortals in those means of grace can grasp the King of the universe and receive a foretast of the feast to come"-(Treasury of Daily Prayer, p.302)
When Luke writes "You are witnesses of these things," he is writing it about the other 10 disciples of Jesus. However, the same applies to us who believe. We are fed with Word and Sacrament--the ways our Lord Jesus has chosen to "come to us," and strenghtened in Him through these means, we are also Christ's witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Notice how Luke in his Gospel, describes the response of the disciples to Jesus' departure to heaven....And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple blessing God. It doesn't say they were sad. It doesn't say that they sat around doing nothing and waiting for Him to return. They WORSHIPED HIM, and returned with GREAT JOY! Then they were in the temple blessing God continually. What a response.
Do you believe in the promises of the Lord? He has promised to always be with us. He has promised to be present for us in Word and Sacrament, His means of grace in the Church. And He has promised His Holy Spirit, which we receive in Baptism. And Jesus has also promised to return again. For that we wait in hope, and joy, and worshiping Him.
Thanks for reading, and God's blessings to you today!
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