Gone

Luke 24:51-53 (ESV) While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Luke’s Gospel ends in a rather ironic way. Jesus ascended to Heaven, and the disciples were really excited about it. Look at these words: “They… returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”  Suppose your fiancee just left you for a yearlong deployment overseas with no possibility of seeing you for twelve months. Would you feel “great joy” if you were truly in love? Yet, here we see the Savior of the world leaving his closest friends permanently (for this life), and they had great joy? Isn't this ironic?

The apostles’ emotions were certainly much different than they were at Jesus’ previous departure that first Good Friday. Their expectations of who Jesus was and what he came to do were shaken significantly by Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. They did not expect him to die this way. Something changed when they saw the risen Christ, processed their doubts, touched him, and worshiped him. This is the first time Luke recorded the disciples worshiping Jesus. They understood who Jesus was and they understood what his real mission was. They also understood his mission was now their mission.

Notice also his physical departure did not mean a relational departure. They worshiped Jesus after he was gone. The joy came from embracing him as he was and embracing their part in his story. Luke continues that story in the Acts of the Apostles, and we can read how the once doubting and fearful disciples boldly changed the world with the message of Jesus.

Though Jesus is gone physically from the earth, he is still at work through those who worship him and accept his mission. He is not just an idea. He is alive. He alone brings great joy. I wish you that great joy for the coming year in every area of your life.