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FIRST VISALIA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
ASCENSION SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 4TH, 2008
Sermon: Rev. George G. Vink
Scripture Reading: John 14: 15-28
Sermon: CHRIST’S DEPARTURE AND OUR DESOLATION~ IS IT REAL?
Dear Family and Friends in Christ Jesus, Our Risen Lord,
Are you ever troubled by the fact that “Christ ascended into heaven?”
If you would have been with the disciples the days before the crucifixion when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, predicted his betrayal, and Peter’s denial, would you have needed Jesus’ words of comfort? They’re familiar words, “Do not let you hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” Jesus is going away, and Thomas says what the others were thinking, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Let’s read what Jesus says about his leaving and the promises he makes. It’s found in John 14: 15-28. “If you love me, you will obey what I ….”
Christ’s departure does not need to lead to desolation, feeling all alone or abandoned. Granted, someone’s leaving makes us feel sad. A leader’s leaving may leave his followers feeling adrift, but not if they’re properly prepared, and that’s what Jesus was doing.
Jesus has made it clear, “I am the way and the truth and life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” But, there’s more! Loving Him means obeying what He has commanded. (Vs 15) Then the promise follows of a Counselor to come, “the Spirit of truth.”!
As we read this passage in John 14, we see that Jesus is in control. He’s not someone who’s at the whim of fortune or luck. He is not a fly caught in a spider’s web, trying to get free as it sees the spider coming its way. Jesus knows He has to leave and is going where they cannot come—yet! But, the disciples are not left to grope about in the dark, like young children without parents. Nor should they like misguided adults and sit on therooftops waiting for His Return. They are equipped to be busy!
The disciples then and now, you and me, have responsibilities. We’re left behind to do the Father’s will. And, when busy doing the Father’s will, the time for waiting doesn’t seem as long. Jesus is saying, “Troubled followers, do what I have shown you that you must do, and I’ll be back to reward your faithfulness.” No need for idleness in the Kingdom! No room for retirement! No need to have troubled hearts. (Vs 27) The ministry that Christ did must continue—being done by the disciples!
The disciples had been with Jesus. He made it abundantly clear that loving was the fulfillment of His commandments. Loving God and loving the neighbor! Jesus had to leave, but it didn’t mean desolation or despair. Christ’s ascension is no reason to be troubled. In fact, the opposite! We’re assured of His being seated at the right hand of God the Father!
Jesus knew His disciples and He knows us! He needed to prepare them for His leaving. He planned ahead! He also knows we feel like orphans sometimes, left behind and feeling lost.
The incarnate Son of God knows us, but He has His house in order. It’s not a Will or Living Trust, but He prepared His followers and challenges us to trust and follow-through. There’s work to be done as we await His return. He equips us with His Holy Spirit, the Counselor and Comforter.
It’s not an accident of history that was about to take place at Calvary. It was not a freakish, unavoidable situation. It was all part of a divine plan. It’s all in the eternal counsel of God, His plan of salvation promised way back in Genesis 3. Salvation history is not a haphazard plan put together at the last moment. Jesus came in the “fullness of time” as we hear often at baptism. That same Jesus planned for what would follow after His death, resurrection, and ascension.
We’re not always that good at planning for what we know lies ahead, are we? I recall Dennis Hoekstra from the Barnabas Foundation saying, “It’s rather amazing how often people don’t have it put together. No planning done for what they know is going to happen—their death!” And, we’ve all heard the horror stories, the troubled hearts and lives when parents fail to do what they need to do.
Here also, Jesus shows us the way. “I will leave you. But, don’t be troubled. I will not leave you as orphans. I will be present, but in a new and richer way.” The world today is not an orphanage. We are not left desolate or abandoned. Provisions have been made. In the O.T., there were rules and regulations regarding how to treat the widowed and fatherless. Recently, I spoke of our being able to help the orphans in Africa today. The rule of love and compassion calls for our doing so! Why? Because Jesus did not leave us as orphans but has equipped and empowered us to act with kindness and do compassion!
In verses 3 and 28, Jesus assures us, “I will come back.” Did they understand? Was the Friday of the crucifixion a dismal, dreary day? Was the Sabbath a terrible day of feeling abandoned? If we can understand that feeling, then we’ll appreciate all the more intensely their joy, their relief and excitement when they heard, “He’s alive!”
Today we live, empowered by His Holy Spirit, equipped for the task of doing ministry. We need not be troubled. Jesus is our pledge. He’s in heaven and we’ll follow. He pleads our cause. Like a lobbyist, He’s there! Christ’s promise has powerful implications. There’s a guarantee!
Jesus is in the presence of the Father while also present with us in the power of the Holy Spirit. He rose from the dead, taught His disciples, and assures us that He will return. In the meantime, we ask, “What does that all mean for us?” It means we do what He has commanded us to do!
It can be summarized with “Love God and Love Your Neighbor,” and implies a caring for orphans, widows, lonely, hurting and hungry. That’s the nature of true religion, true discipleship. It’s not church attendance, but care giving. It’s not singing the songs only, but loving the lonely.
The Holy Spirit has been given and we’re in-grafted into Christ so that where He is, we are, as promised. Our flesh is in heaven, and therefore we hear the words from Colossians 3, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Why? Because our lives and Christ’s are inseparably intertwined!
An Easter song says it: “Soar we now where Christ has led, following our exalted head. Made like him, like him we rise, ours the cross the grave, the skies.”
What does that mean we do? We love, and give our lives as He did for His friends…and His enemies. Possible? Only in the power of the Holy Spirit! We’re not dismally despondent, but instead empowered and equipped. We’re free to be what God intended us to be, His children who love to do the Father’s will. “True religion,” as James 1:27 puts it, is all about loving the parentless, the homeless, the needy….
We’re special people. We’re not orphans, but God’s children who are awaiting Christ’s return. In the meantime we provide for the aged, protect the innocent, and speak up for the oppressed. We’re people of power, privilege and position who must provide for others as we’re able and promote peace, Christ’s peace, relentlessly. We’re able, but are we willing? When He returns, will He reward us for what we’ve done? Let’s ask: Whose cause do I claim in a world of competing calls? Whose side am I on in a world of “haves and have nots?”
Jesus ascended and He left us here. But, this is not my permanent home. Heaven is where I’m headed, but in the meantime, I’ve got work to do here. Remember the old song? “I am a stranger here, within a foreign land. My home is far away, upon a golden strand….but, I’m here on business for my king!” Business for the King and His Kingdom!
He reigns as King. Does my life show that He’s my Lord and King?
Amen!
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