Ascension Day

Acts 1:1-11

The best line in Luke’s account of Jesus’ ascension into heaven is the line spoken by the attending angels, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand around, gazing into heaven?”

There are times when the problems facing the world are overwhelming. The bad news piles up, story after story--bad economy, war in the Middle East, bombings and shootings across the country, scandals in our local government, behavior even toddlers would shrink from in Washington, and so on. We cry out like the prophet Habakkuk--

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
    and you will not listen?
Or cry to you ‘Violence!‘
    and you will not save?
Why do you make me see wrongdoing
    and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me;
    strife and contention arise.
So the law becomes slack
    and justice never prevails.
The wicked surround the righteous—
    therefore judgement comes forth perverted.

We wonder why our God, whom we proclaim to be good and whose grace we promise abounds, does nothing while evil runs rampant through the human community. We wonder what God is waiting for. 

The angels answer us. While we are waiting for God, God is waiting for us.

In an old homiletic challenge, the truth comes through powerfully--

If not us, then who?

If not now, when?

If not here, then where?

If not love, then what?

The disciples stand around watching the clouds gather where Jesus was, gaping and gawking like onlookers everywhere. The angels will have none of it. “What are you standing around for? There is too much to be done! Get busy!”

You see, God’s grace is that the hands, the hearts, and the imaginations through which God works the redemption of the world are our own. Christ showed us the way. Christ revealed what needs to be done--love--and why--God is love. Christ is with us with power beyond all imagination to strengthen us, inspire us, and move us, but that movement is ours. 

And as we work for redemption, we become more and more redeemed. As we love, we realize the depth and breadth of the love that embraces us in God. That makes us saints of God--even us. 

So, what are we waiting for? Christ calls us.

Go!