Falling as it does on a Thursday, Ascension Day is one of those festivals that can easily be overlooked, even by the faithful. It marks the event, forty days after the resurrection, when Jesus publicly and visibly parted with his disciples to return to His Father, bringing his resurrection appearances to an end, and giving them instructions to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. It is an event that had to happen. Jesus could not simply go on appearing to his followers indefinitely. There had to be a cutting off point, after which they must get on with the mission he had entrusted to them.
What is significant in St. Luke’s account of the Ascension is how he describes the disciples returning from the Mount of Olives ‘with great joy’. Surely, after the departure of such a good friend, there would be, at least, an element of sadness. Curiously, this appears to be an event which precipitated a spontaneous burst of worship and praise, so there must have been something special about the Ascension that gave the disciples the assurance that the best was still to come.
Jesus had promised that when he left them, he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. He had to go, in order to be with them in a more complete way. In human form, he was confined to one time and one place, but through the presence of the Holy Spirit, he is no longer confined to the parameters of the physical world, but can be with all believers simultaneously, at all times and in all places. So the disciples waited in Jerusalem, not in sadness at the loss of a good friend, but in joyful expectation of God’s presence with them. Jesus had described the Spirit as Counsellor, Comforter and Guide, hence the disciples were anticipating the joy of the presence of God that would remain with them permanently.
The Ascension had to happen before the Holy Spirit could come. It demonstrably signifies the end of the earthly ministry of Jesus, and the beginning of the story of the Church. Jesus ascended in order that we, like the disciples, may receive His Holy Spirit. So, after Ascension Day, we also wait with eager anticipation for the great day of Pentecost. We too can wait with expectation and joy.
Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Common Worship)
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