5-24-20 Sermon Notes “Left Behind” Ascension Sunday
In the Scripture for this Sunday, we read about Jesus giving last-minute instructions to His followers before the Ascension. Jesus talks about the law, prophets, and the Psalms, He opens their minds to understand Scripture, and He reminds them (once again) about how the Messiah had to suffer, die and rise again on the third day. So far so good!
We know that the story doesn’t end there, though. Jesus appears to Mary, to the travelers on the road to Emmaus…he taught his disciples many things. The resurrected Christ appeared to more than 500 at one time (according to 1 Cor. 15: 6). Now it was time for Jesus to ascend to the Father.
Here’s the story from Luke 24…
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24: 44-53 NRSV)
We know that the followers of Jesus were devastated by Jesus’ arrest, scourging, crucifixion, and burial. Then they were overjoyed by the resurrection and the time they got to spend with him. Now, He was about to leave them behind. BUT… Instead of being re-devastated, it says that they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” Why? Why is Ascension Sunday a joyful Sunday and not a mournful one?
It’s because of what Jesus left His followers when He left them behind! He left them with some beautiful things, and we are all still the beneficiaries of that! We will talk about what Jesus left behind when He ascended.
This Sunday is also the Sunday when we will remember Memorial Day. We will remember all those who gave their lives in service to their country. We will consider what they left behind, too, that we are still beneficiaries of today. Hope you will join us Sunday by livestream or by Facebook Live, at 9:00 am for Celebrations or at 11:00 am for Traditions.
God bless you!