Jump Start # 4089
Luke 24:51 “While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into Heaven.”
Our verse today describes the ascension of Jesus into Heaven. It seems that we talk a lot about the resurrection but not so much about the ascension. As the apostles saw Jesus leaving their sight, a great loneliness must have filled their hearts. The Lord had promised not to leave them as orphans. The Holy Spirit would guide them and help them. Jesus promised to come back. But, for now, they were on their own. They wouldn’t have Jesus around to answer their questions. They wouldn’t have Jesus there to temper their spirits and to show them the way to walk in righteousness. On their own…
Life can be like that for us. It’s that way when a beloved family member passes away. The house seems empty and quiet. It’s that way when the last child moves out. A loneliness and an emptiness takes over. We can feel that way when a beloved friend, shepherd or preacher leaves.
For some, that emptiness pulls them into a deep funk. They don’t feel like doing anything. They wish things could return to the way it was before, but it can’t. It never will be.
So, what can we do? What would the Lord want us to do?
First, for the apostles, the Lord gave them a mission. They were to return to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Then they were to be witnesses of Christ throughout the world. These apostles would soon preach. Another apostle would be chosen. And, in a short time, they would split up and go different directions throughout the known world.
And, for us it is a similar thing. There is the call of God that we must be about. While you may feel like staying in bed most of the day, you need to get up. You need to start your routine. You’ve got things to do. You have a kingdom that needs you. Your family needs you. Your church needs you. It’s one thing to hit the pause button on life for a moment, but some want to stop life all together. They exist but they no longer live. That’s not what the Lord wants.
Second, the Lord didn’t abandon the apostles. He had been preparing them for this moment and the Spirit of God would lead them and help them. And, in a similar way, we are not totally on our own. Aside from the obvious such as our immediate family and our church family, we have been instructed and prepared for this through the teachings of God’s word. We have examples throughout the Bible. We have the promises of God that comforts us. We have the blessed assurance that the Lord will be with us.
Third, all although some things will never be the same again, the new chapter in your life can be one of the best chapters. New people. New challenges. New opportunities. For that small band of apostles, they have been together day and night for three years. They had seen incredible things. And, shortly after this, they would spread out to the four corners of the planet preaching the Gospel. Did they stay in touch with each other? Did they ever get back together just to renew their friendships? Would they ever be together again? Historically, it is doubtful. But, they were off to new places, preaching God’s word to new faces, knowing that this is exactly what the Lord wanted them to do.
The loneliness of change and the emptiness we feel knowing that certain people may not be back in our lives again may bring a tear to our eyes. Quickly dry those tears and get busy doing what the Lord intended for you to do. Rejoice and be thankful for the wonderful intersections in life God creates with amazing people. They have encouraged us, helped us and been there for us. Learn from that and try to be that way for someone else.
I’ve known some who after the death of their mate, they walked the rest of their days with a cloud over their heads. Gloom and doom is all they would talk about. Their smile seems to have disappeared and they no longer wanted to be a part of anything that would bring joy into their hearts. Life stopped for them. The clock never moved past that sad event.
For the disciple, when a Christian dies, we have the grand hope of seeing them on the other side. It’s never “goodbye,” as my hero Dee Bowman would say. For the Christian, it’s “see you later.” There is hope in that because we will see you later—just as the Lord promised.
Fill that emptiness with joy and help others who are struggling.
Roger