I love these few days in the Church’s year between Ascension and Pentecost. The Ascension of Jesus (which we celebrated last Thursday, 18 May) and Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit (celebrated next weekend) - is suspense-packed ten-day period of anticipation. In this time, we can pause and remember on that great faith-fact of history.
Jesus saw his disciples again just before he went back to his Father in Heaven. Luke the physician records that he was eating with them. The disciples gathered round him and asked:
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1: 6)
Jesus replies to them:
“It is not for you to know to the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.” (Acts 1: 7-8)
After saying this they see him ascend to Heaven.
Christians believe that Jesus is now at his Father’s right-hand side, continually interceding for us and the worldwide community of believers. Jesus is the source of the hope we have. While we can now pray for the daily refreshing and guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, it is still instructive to try and imagine that first year in the life of the church.
If we look at the timeline of the world, from the point of its creation (many millions of years ago) to the world end (please God, many years in the future), then the one man who is the fulcrum of change is Jesus Christ. The era changes from BC to AD, Jesus opens the way back to the Father for us and for all humanity, and is the source of the hope that we have, promising to be with us always.
I mentioned the faith-fact of history. This is why this week is so important. When I talk to young people about the Christian faith, many of whom are seeking and asking, but have no knowledge foundation of Jesus, the Bible or the Gospels, I often start with this faith-fact. It is a logical observation of history that 12 people came out from the place where they were staying and spoke the name of Jesus with such amazing multi-lingual power, that almost 2000 years later, his name is known worldwide. He is the source of hope and strength for millions. No other world movement has come close to this. When we pause and think, this is extraordinary.
So that is the historical faith-fact, how about Christian mission? Well, I believe that this begs the question in reply: “Ok, so who were they talking about?”. Then the door is open to proclaim the name, truth and life of Jesus Christ. As Peter tells us:
“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3: 15)
And so, as Luke recalls at the start of Acts, after the disciples see Jesus go, they get themselves organised, they pray, they care for each other, and they are clearly waiting and ready.
Let us be filled with the same excitement today. Many in this University community are coming to the end of an intense period of study and assessment. Jesus, when he worked with his father as a carpenter, will have been very familiar with pressure and deadlines. So, he ‘gets that’ too. Change is coming, as we look ahead to a new time of rest and new horizons may the Holy Spirit inspire, guide and excite us.
Nigel Rawlinson
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