Joyful Worship!
Luke 24:52-So they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
How many of you celebrated when you said good-bye to your closest friend? If you are like me, anytime I say good-bye to people I care about, especially if I know I will not see them again for a long time, I would have tears of sadness running down my face. Our hearts hurt knowing we will not see them again. We may even put off saying good-bye, so we do not have to face this heart wrenching moment.
How did the disciples react to saying their final good-bye to Jesus? They worshipped with great joy! There was no hint of tears or sadness. What caused the disciples to have great joy in their hearts even though they would no longer see Jesus and walk around with him? He gave them the gift of spreading the good news of forgiveness and life to a dead world. Jesus included them in the family business of bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. He also promised them that even though they would not see him, he was always with them to the very end of the age. They could trust these gifts and promises because Jesus did the impossible for them. He forgave them and gave them eternal life. His resurrection proved his authority to include them in his mission.
Why do we continue to rejoice in Jesus’ Ascension? We are included in the mission of saving people from sin and death. You and I have heard the message passed down from those first disciples. We rejoice in the forgiveness and life Jesus earned for us. Now we get to pass it on to other people who need comfort. Jesus’ promises continue and are valid today as when he said it to his disciples after he rose from the dead. We are forgiven. We have life. We have a mission. And Jesus is still with us today and to the end of the age.
Dear Ascended Lord! We thank you for giving us joy by dying and rising for us. Help us continue your mission to spread the good news until you return in all of your glory. In your name we pray. Amen.