Acts 1:6-24
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
Seventh
Easter
We are
between the Ascension May 29th
and Pentecost June 8th. In the reading from Acts Jesus tells his
disciples that they are not to know when certain events will take
place. There mission is to be his witnesses in Judea and Samara and
to the ends of the Earth. Just as a side note, in the first century
it was believed that the world was flat and there truly was an end to
the earth.
He told
them the Holy Spirit would come down upon them and they would go out
to all the nations to spread Christs message. We are an extension of
that command. We have been visited by the Holy Spirit through our
baptism and we are to not be shy about spreading His message. His
Good News.
Lets
talk about the miracle in this reading. As they were watching, Jesus
was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. While they
were gazing up, gawking if you will, two men in white robes (white
robes is always a give away in these stories) say to them, and I'm
paraphrasing here, why are you standing around? He is gone and you
have work to do. Stop gazing up at heaven, wondering when he is
coming back. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. The kingdom
awaits.
I am
sure Jesus's disciples felt a sense of loss. They had spent so much
time with Jesus and now he was gone. We have all had that sense of
loss when someone we are close to dies or leaves. It is easy to get
into a funk and grieve and that is a very appropriate and human
reaction. But, after a while you realize that life goes on and there
is work to be done. We are in God's kingdom and the Father expects
us to carry out his mission.
I want
to touch on the other readings briefly. These readings are a little
turned around. The first reading, Acts, happened second. The second
reading,Peter, happened third. The third reading, John, was first.
In the
reading from Acts, Jesus has returned after he was put to death. He
has spent forty days with his followers and is returning to the
Father in heaven.
In the
gospel reading from John, Jesus prays to the Father saying that his
work on earth is complete. He has made the Father's name known to
the world. In this reading Jesus knows he is about to face his death
and resurrection. In his prayer he asks for the protection and the
unity of his followers. He knows they will face persecution.
In the
reading from Peter, it is some time after Jesus's ascension and the
persecution is taking place. Peter encourages the followers of Jesus
to discipline themselves, keep alert because, like a roaring lion,
the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour. I love that
imagery.
Lets
return to Acts and Jesus Ascension. We were at evening prayer last
Wednesday and we were doing the readings assigned for it. Afterward,
Dru said that many years ago she remembered they would release
balloons as a celebration of the ascension. I immediately thought,
“what a great idea”. So... Sherry went out and bought balloons
and helium. We have been busy blowing up balloons and I ask that the
congregation join us in letting them ascend to heaven.
(On a follow up note. After we released the balloons, and I had a short children's sermon. I asked the children if any of them wanted to keep their balloon and not let it go. They all said yes. I then told them that letting go of something you like is sometimes hard and that is why Jesus's disciples were sad to see him go because he meant so much to them.)
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