The story of Jesus's ascension is sometimes hard to understand because we aren't quite sure what it has to do with us. What does this story of Jesus being raised in front of his first disciples up into heaven say to us today?
First, I think it asks us the question that was posed to the disciples in this passage - why are we looking up? There is a gentleman in the parish that I serve that says sometimes you can be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. Yet, sometimes it is so tempting to keep looking up instead of heeding Jesus's call to go out. The disciples are handed the message of Jesus to carry forth, but they can't do that if they spend all of their time only looking up. The same is true for us today.
Second, this scripture passage reminds us that God works through everyday people. We spent so much time discussing the Gospel of Mark talking about how the disciples missed the point again and again and again. And here we find more of the same. Yet, God keeps using them. God called fishermen to be witnesses of Jesus in the world. And God continues to call you and me, no matter where we have come from, to go forth today.
Third, this passage asks what we are going to do with our time. A good summary of this particular passage is in-between-ness. In between the resurrection and Pentecost. In between Jesus going up into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit. What do we do with those in-between times in our lives? We pray. We get ready for what God is going to call us to next. We are obedient to the words and calling of Christ.
The disciples probably didn't see it as such at the time, but this was a blessing for them. It was getting them ready for the coming of the Spirit. And as frustrated as they may have been with the lack of certainty or answers, they continued to sit and wait and pray.
How are we being called to be Christ's witnesses in the world today and how are we preparing to go forth in his name?
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