St. Luke 24:44-53
Divine Service
Feast of Ascension 

Dear brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Ascension has one of the oddest placements of any “holiday” on the Christian calendar.   It is placed exactly 40 days after Easter; therefore it always falls on a Thursday.   Because it is dependant on the date of Easter, Ascension is also a moveable feast similar to Pentecost – which is another 9 days from now.  We can date Ascension so precisely because of Luke’s writing in Acts 1 that Jesus “appeared to them over a period of forty days” and then “was taken up before their very eyes.” (Acts 1:3, 9)  A part of our Epistle lesson from Acts, which is a continuation of our Gospel lesson.

Jesus was born to be a leader.  And in order for a leader to be followed, He must make his directions clear.  Yet, how many times did Jesus have to explain what he was saying or what he was doing?  In Matthew 15 Peter said to Jesus, “Explain the parable to us.” “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.  Time and again Jesus was explaining himself to them so they would understand just what he was talking about.  It says in Matthew 16:21 “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”  You can’t get any clearer than what Jesus was saying.  But the disciples didn’t want to let go of the notion that Jesus didn’t come to be a bread king – someone who gives me popularity – food – fame and fortune. 

As a good leader Jesus clarified himself time and again.  And today’s text is no different.  The first portion of this text either takes place just prior to Jesus’ ascension or right after he appears in the upper room to his disciples.  At any rate, he explains himself saying “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.”  It was very clear in the Bible – the Old Testament – that Jesus would have to suffer and rise from the dead.  It should have been no surprise.  But the disciples just couldn’t get it.  So what finally had to happen?  Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  I almost envision the disciples heads shaped in the size of a big can of fruit – but without a can opener.  It doesn’t matter how much you beat it – or speak to it – finally you need a can opener to get it open.  That’s what our text says – Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  Then – finally – the light turned on. 

There are certain basic truths laid out in the Bible that seem almost elementary to us as Lutheran Christians.  We are born dead in sin.  We are all deserving of eternal hell.  The only way that we are saved is through the death and resurrection of Christ.  The only way we can get this faith is if Christ – like with the disciples – opens our minds and brings us to faith.  The directives for our life in the Bible are plain – “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness – and all these things will be given to you.” Our leader is clear.  Let me say it again – our leader is CLEAR. 

The problem is that we are dull – just like the disciples.  What do I mean? Do you find yourself wondering what to do or say – when the answer is really not that hard?  For instance, your child refuses to do his chores.  And instead of doing anything, you sit and ponder and try and philosophize about exactly what the best “treatment” should be for him or her.  Your neighbor says to you, “I believe we all worship the same God and we’ll all get to heaven some day,” and you think to yourself, “boy, that’s not right.” But you say, “that’s interesting” because you’re just not sure what to say.  Do you find yourself becoming angry or upset when God’s Word is clear on how you should treat your spouse or children or boss – because you don’t want to do it that way?  These are all clear indicators that we are still dull.  It’s almost as if there a lid over our heads that needs opening because even though we’ve heard what’s true – even though we’ve been directed by God what to do – it just doesn’t sink in.  Why is that?  It’s our own fault.  There is no excuse. 

But there is an answer.  Just as Jesus opened the disciples minds, he can open yours!  All it took was for Jesus to simply but very methodically laid out the Scriptures for them – so they could understand what God’s will was in their lives – that Jesus was supposed to die and rise from the dead.  The Bible is the key. 

There has to come a point in our lives where we go from hearing it to getting it.  If you don’t get it: hear it.  If you still don’t get it: hear it some more.  And the beauty of it is that Christ wants to open your mind – he will open your mind so that you have a clearer understanding of what His love is all about.  He’ll give you a greater understanding of what to do in situations – so you can apply scriptural principles and live with better conviction.  A part of the opening that Christ is talking about involves a closing of the reason.  The opening of the mind that Christ brings enables you to say, “OK – I’m saved by grace.  Ok, I’ll stay faithful even though I don’t get along with my spouse at the time.  OK, I’ll come to church, even though I’m tired.”  The great thing about this text is that it is proof that Christ can and will do that for you.  Why?  Because He is a good leader who continues to speak to us clearly. 

Have you ever gone to another room in your house, and then forgot what you went there for in the first place?  It’s frustrating sometimes following my brain around when I don’t know where it’s leading me.  Jesus – as a leader – knew where he was leading his disciples.  He had completed a very essential part of His mission on earth.  He died and rose from the dead; thereby earning the salvation of the world.  But the work wasn’t done yet.  As a true leader he wanted to get his followers involved.  So He proceeded – just before His ascension – to layout clearly where he wanted his disciples to go and why he wanted them to go there.  He didn’t leave them wondering what they should do next. 

He told his disciples: “repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”  Jesus did not call his disciples to preach how to get rich and be successful.  He didn’t commission his disciples to make as many friends as they could.  His commission was simple.  Preach repentance and forgiveness of sins.  Take the hammer of God’s law – and show the people what they deserve.  Open up the mirror of the law and shine it in the dark recesses of the prideful human heart.  Reveal to the people their wickedness.  And then fill their souls with the blood of Christ.  Pour the waters of baptism on them and cleanse their souls from acts that lead to death.  Set them free! And when they stood and stared at the sky after Jesus ascended into heaven, what did the angel say?  “What are you standing there for staring in the sky?” What did they mean with that?  Weren’t they insinuating: “it’s time to get to work!”

It was time for those disciples to get to work.  They went back to the temple and waited the coming of the Holy Spirit.  They waited as they were told by Jesus: “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  They did what their leader commanded.  They did so as they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”  They trusted that their leader, the Christ who had risen form the dead, knew what was best. 

We have a leader who knew where He was going – Jesus was going to the cross.  When he got up and down from the cross – he knew where He’d been.  Before our leader went on to rule this world invisibly, he gave us a vision – showing us where to go – to all nations.  He tells us how to get there – by using the Law Gospel.  He promises to be with us and give us his Holy Spirit.  And He promises us that our place in heaven is prepared through him.  Thanks to our leader, we know where we’re going.  That makes it easy to follow our Leader.

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