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The Ascension is an event we often mention in the church, but we don’t talk a lot about it. Part of the reason is that it is a mysterious event, and one we celebrate not on a Sunday or a Wednesday, but on Thursday of all days. It’s not the main event, like the Cross or Resurrection, but it is merely a continuation of those focal points in the mission of Christ Jesus in the world.
However, there is a lot we can learn from it that is important. The Ascension shows us that God acts in ways we don’t always expect, nor or we prepared for. Just look at the Disciples’ reaction in Acts. As Jesus gets ready to ascend, they say, “Uh, Lord? Is this when you do the thing? The thing you’re supposed to do?” But this event hasn’t been prophesied. It’s not fitting into their plan. Instead, it is fitting into God’s plan, and God is always surprising us by acting in ways that are different from our own.
Even as Jesus goes away, the Disciples are standing there, almost as if their jaws are dropped to the floor, gazing with dumbfound looks. It takes two angels to come and snap them out of their stupor and remind them of the work Jesus has given them to do.
The other thing we learn from the Ascension is that Jesus, though ascended, remains with us always. We see this through the gift of the Holy Spirit that comes after Jesus’ Ascension. The Spirit is God’s intimate connection with us, in our minds and in our hearts.
Jesus, we hear in Ephesians, remains at God’s right hand in Heaven. This is a reminder that Jesus is always there, speaking on our behalf and holding our prayers, of concern and thanksgiving, up to the Lord. This isn’t just another heavenly being doing this for us. This is God Himself come down in human form to be one of us. This is someone who doesn’t just sympathize with our plights, but can deeply empathize with them.
As we continue through this last week plus of Easter, these are the things we should never forget. We don’t always know what God will be working because God is always working something new in the world. And even when it doesn’t feel like it, Jesus is always there with us, listening, caring, and taking care of all our needs.