Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes | Every year, except for this one, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington holds an Eagle release day in which one of the Bald Eagles that has spent time recovering at the centre is released into the wild. The public is welcomed to this event and we have been able to take it a couple of times. We gather along a track, like a landing strip, and one of the staff comes out with the eagle in a cage. We are told to sit quietly and to not make any sudden movements. Then the cage door is lifted and we all hold our breath. Usually there is a timid hop from the cage while the Eagle tests out it’s freedom and then in a big swoop it takes off into the trees. We all gasp and clap and then there is a mix of emotions. For many of the staff this is a bitter sweet day. The reward for all their hard work in rehabilitating this eagle is that it leaves them and yet there is the knowledge that this was the ultimate goal. With gratitude the eagle flies off while the crowd is left below looking up. You know the comparison is coming- I bet the disciples can identify with the staff at Wildlife Recovery Centre. They were gathered on a hilltop as Jesus had instructed and it is a bittersweet moment as Jesus ascends in front of their eyes. Jesus rises as they are left below looking up.
Today we are spending time celebrating the Ascension. The day in which Jesus ascends, goes up, leaves, in fact, if some of the neo-classical paintings are correct it looks as if Jesus flies off into heaven. And yet there is a lot to unpack from this short passage in Luke that steps into much deeper territory then the idea that Jesus ascends- that is only part of the story.
First we have to acknowledge the astonishing truth that Luke is the only one to record the ascension. Matthew alludes to it. In Matthew Jesus meets them on the mountain and commissions them but it doesn’t say what happened after. Matthew’s story is more about a resurrection appearance then an ascension. In John, Jesus mentions that the beloved disciple must remain until he comes again- presupposing that Jesus has to go somewhere in order for him to return and Mark never mentions it at all. And yet the ascension is an important part of our theological understanding of who Jesus is. Then, as if the fact that it is only mentioned by Luke isn’t enough, Luke gives two different accounts of the ascension. Today we hear the version that ends the Gospel but Luke also begins the Book of Acts with a slightly different version of events. The version we heard completes the Gospel and thus Jesus ministry whereas the version in Acts begins the book and thus begins the work of the Apostles. Another important detail to remember is that while it has been seven weeks since we celebrated Easter this story takes place on that first Easter day. Thus far in Luke, for the disciples, they awoke to the women telling them of their visions of angels. Peter affirmed that he saw the linen cloths by themselves. Two followers have run back from Emmaus to say they have broken bread with Jesus and then Jesus, himself has shown up, offered peace. Jesus has spent the evening with them and as night comes he takes them up to a mountain where he blesses and ascends. That’s a lot to take in on one day.
We also see some links between the story of the two disciples walking to Emmaus and Jesus appearance to the whole group. In both Jesus’ primary objective is to teach about the fulfillment of Scripture. He opens the dsiciples’ minds to understand the law, the prophets, and the psalms- naming the three important parts of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, or what we call The Old Testament. This helps the disciples understand his death and resurrection within their own religious context and it is what informs the modern church. For Luke’s original audience this was essential, they need to learn how to read Scripture through the lens of Jesus. And that isn’t just a tool for the early church but one we employ often. They are to hold onto their roots, know where they came from, but they are to live it within a modern context. This is what also sets the stage for the book of Acts in which the Gospel begins within the Jewish community but quickly spreads beyond that to include Gentiles, and all nations.
Along with opening up the disciples minds, there are two other important acts which Jesus does in this conversation. First, like in Matthew, Jesus does indeed commission them to be witnesses. They are to wait in Jerusalem until they are given such power but with that power they will be able to witness, tell of the things they have learned. We will touch upon this further next week when we celebrate Pentecost but remember this word witness. Jesus does not commission them to be judges, does not commission them to be prosecutors, does not commission them to be defence lawyers, Jesus commissions them to be witnesses- simply share what they have seen, heard, and experienced.
Second, Jesus’ last act on earth is to bless the disciples. Jesus isn’t just saying goodbye. To bless someone or something is to make it holy. Jesus’ final gift is a blessing. In many ways this is a reciprocal blessing because as Jesus blesses them they in turn and go to the temple. After Jesus ascends his followers return to Jerusalem with great joy- I am sure that they are saddened to see Jesus go but they have also been given such great gifts that they go to the temple to continually return blessings to God. Here’s an interesting point, Luke’s Gospel narrative begins with Zechariah in the temple and ends with the disciples in the temple. Gathering for worship is important to Luke.
So how does this all apply to us particularly during a pandemic? The ascension is not so much about where Jesus has gone but rather who Jesus is. The historical, physical Jesus may no longer be here but the work of Christ is lived out through his disciples. The ascension firmly establishes Jesus as God’s right-hand man, or in fact, more than that, Jesus is an equal part of the Trinitarian God. Therefore we read scripture, all of scripture, through that lens. I would also argue it means that we live in our modern context with that lens- continually looking to Christ for the example. We are witnesses- what better time to witness to the grace, love, and mercy of God. But maybe the most relevant and important message from the ascension today is the blessing, making holy. In February, if you had told me that I would be preaching to an online congregation I would have said, “there is no way that could replace the sacred act of gathering together in worship.” But you know what, through your encouragement and prayer- we have managed to make it holy. In all the ways we are gathering together- online, over the phone, in texts and emails- we are taking what used to be mundane and making in sacred. We cherish this time together. It is bittersweet. It is hard. But we aren’t just standing around looking up. God lifts us up on Eagle’s wings. We are blessed. Amen