Happy Ascension Day!

Posted on May 13, 2021 | Posted by Mary Stoneback

Happy Ascension Day!

You might not find a wide selection of Hallmark cards to mark the occasion. An often overlooked church
holiday, it’s often described as the answer to the theological quandary of what happened to Jesus after
the resurrection. Not really something that inspires faith. Not really something you’d name a church
after.

But maybe there’s more to it. If you read the story of the Ascension (Acts 1:1-11), you’ll find that at the
heart of the story isn’t so much Jesus leaving, but Jesus promising. Two promises, actually.
Promise #1 – You will receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises to the disciples that even in his absence
they will not be left alone. Even in his absence, the Holy Spirit will be with them, giving them faith,
encouraging them in acts of service and witness, keeping the community together. As Martin Luther
said, the spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies.”

Promise #2 – You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. Until now the message of Jesus Christ
was limited to a small group of people in a small region. But if this message is really the truth of
boundless life and love, then it needs to be everywhere! And now Jesus is promising the disciples that
they’ll be the ones to share it. Sounds daunting. Good thing they’ve got the Holy Spirit.
On Ascension Day we are reminded that the love of Jesus is so big that the whole world needs to hear it.
On Ascension Day we are reminded that we are called to share that love, and we are given the Holy
Spirit and one another so that we can. That’s something to name a church after.

Happy Ascension Day!
Pastor Daniel