Seventh Sunday of Easter - May 04, 2008

(The Ascension)

Preached at Providence Lutheran Church, Holland, Ohio

by Pastor Dennis R. King

"Jesus Reigns Forever!"

John 17:1-11

The Grace and Mercy of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you today and always. Amen!

This is the seventh Sunday after Easter. The Ascension was just this last week. What that means is that the Easter season, as a season in the Church year, is coming to a close. We will soon enter a new season in the Church year. We will celebrate Pentecost next Sunday and begin the Pentecost season. I would encourage each of you to wear as much red as possible for next Sunday as we begin this new season in the life of the church. And as we remember God’s Spirit being sent to us, to comfort us, to care for us, to counsel us, to help us through each and every day of our lives

Somewhere in the midst of all the busy things in life, the Ascension gets lost. With the end of the Easter season and the beginning of the Pentecost season, the end of winter and the beginning of the spring and summer seasons, with so many transitions taking place in our lives, the Ascension gets lost. Somewhere in the midst of it all the Ascension gets left out. Ascension Day is one of those days of the church that we hardly ever celebrate anymore. I am not sure why! Other than, without fail, being 40 days after Easter, it always falls on a Thursday. And Thursday just is not a Church day in people’s minds. All across the country there are very few churches that stop to celebrate that day. Yet, Ascension Day is as important to us as Christmas and Easter. The Ascension is really the crowning event. You may have thought that the Resurrection was the crowning event. The Resurrection is the event that is really the heart and center of the church. But the Ascension is the event that brings the shine - that ultimate crown. Jesus is raised from this life and death world and is lifted up even higher. He is lifted out of this world, beyond this world, in all power and glory. He goes to be with His Heavenly Father, to sit there on that Heavenly Throne and rule and reign. Jesus is reigning!

The Ascension puts the final seal on that very thing. Jesus is crowned as Lord of Heaven and Earth. He is enthroned above. He is crowned King of all, over all, in all, through all, above all. He had come in poverty. He had come to made great sacrifices. But now He is returning in majesty, in glory, in power, in Kingship, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This event leaves no doubt. This event seals it. He reigns! This One, Jesus, has made great promises to us. This One, Jesus, has come and taught us. This One, Jesus, has showed us how to live. This One, Jesus, now reigns in all power and glory.

Sometimes we just evidently look at the Ascension and say, "Well it is a transportation day." It is the day that Jesus goes from here to there. He caught the bus and He made it. However, it is so much more! For Ascension Day is the day when He is enthroned, crowned over the whole universe. This lonely man that walked the dusty paths of Palestine, is now Monarch over all. He was a wonderful teacher. He was a good Shepherd. He was our Savior. He took our place on the cross. He took on our sins. He died for us. He conquered death. He was raised to new life. Now the Ascension is the climax of all for He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords. He is in charge of the whole universe. If we have any worries, take them to Him. He is there in control.

In a day when we are programmed to think that the things of this world depend on great people, the Ascension reminds us that great people do not have the final say. Whether we talk about presidential elections or whether we talk about great leaders in the world, or leaders in management and labor, it makes no difference. The Ascension reminds us that there are limits to the power of great women and great men and great people. No matter how invisible those limits at times may appear, our Lord Christ is King and He reigns over the ultimate course of history. He rules. It is not the captains of industry or the barons of the financial world or the computers or the weather or the climate that is ultimately in control. None of these people or things have ultimate control. The Ascension assures us that this one, Jesus, shall reign. He is in control. He has taken charge. People may choose to go their own ways. People may choose to abandon God. But Christ rules and reigns. The church may suffer persecution and hardships, but Christ will reign. Diseases may ravage our bodies. They may even claim lives before their time. Tragedies may reduce people to helpless invalids. But finally Christ reigns in moments of worry, of anxiety, of fretting, of fear, of panic. It is at these very times that we need to remember the Ascension and the fact that Jesus reigns!

We are not fragile bubbles on the ocean of life. We are beloved sons and daughters of a great and gracious King. We are safe in the promises of Eternal Life. He gives us courage and confidence, peace and stability, if we but remember that He reigns. In all of the ups and downs of life, if we just remember the Ascension, then we know He reigns for this is the crowning event of Jesus’ life. This Jesus is the One whom we have trusted in, whom we have come to know as Lord and Savior. He reigns as King.

The Greek Orthodox Church has a beautiful way of remembering this fact. Many of their buildings have domes and they stand out. Often you will hear people say "Oh, there is one of those Orthodox churches" because of its dome. The dome is painted. Often as you look up to the ceiling, you will see that it is painted with Christ seated on the throne. In one of His hands there is a cross and on the other hand there is a glove. Every time a worshiper looks up in those buildings, they are reminded that Jesus is not only the Savior but also the great King. A great King above all kings who keeps His promises. Know the hope to which He has called you - the riches of His glorious inheritance. Remember the salvation, the forgiveness, the life, the certainty in Him. Never stop asking yourselves questions. Questions like - What Christian festival assures me of the hope and promise that I have in Christ Jesus? Then remember it is the Ascension. Christmas emphasizes the love of God and how He sent His Son into the world. Easter emphasizes this One who was willing to take on all your sins and die for you that you might have life and salvation. The Ascension completes the plan. For it tells us that He ascended and entered Heaven and so shall it be. Then we remember that He went there to prepare a place for us and that at the appropriate time He will come and take us unto Himself.

It is great to be a Christian because we have the King, the greatest King, who has made the greatest promises, and who has given us a glorious inheritance. His ascension leaves us with certainty of that inheritance. He has received the crown. He is the King of Life. And He reigns forever and ever!

Amen!