30 May 2014 - plugged in

30 May 2014 - plugged in

But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.

We experience so much passing joy.  It is hard for us to believe that there is any other kind.  The Ascension is something which is essentially hopeful.  "God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy", we read.  But as Jesus leaves our sight, bringing our glorified humanity to the throne of Godhead, do we shout for joy?  Or do we continue weeping as if the world has won? 

The Ascension should actually seal the joy of the resurrection in our hearts.  It reveals that the resurrection is not simply resuscitation.  This is not another case like Lazarus.  This risen body is taken up from the corruptible world to abide forever with God.  It reveals the permanence of the victory of Jesus.  Yet as we see a cloud take him from our sight we realize that this sight of him, risen and victorious, may be where our joy begins but it is not its basis.  Seeing him risen reveals something even deeper.  It reveals that he is who he says he is.  He is the Son of Man that we can see but also the Son of God who can be with us always.  The reason no one can take our joy away from us is that he can be with us always.  He himself, risen and victorious, is the source of our joy. 

The Ascension itself is closely linked to Pentecost.  As the visible presence of Jesus recedes the Holy Spirit comes to plug us in to him in a way that is more profound than ever.  This is why he tells us that it is better that he goes.

While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.” (cf. Acts 1:4-5).

With Jesus reigning in heaven and the Holy Spirit guiding us on earth we can now experience the joy he intends for us.  The Church on earth is plugged directly into the life of heaven.  It is better that he goes, but he is with us still!

But this connection is something we can choose to ignore.  We can keep trying to power our lives on batteries that are nearly empty and always running down.  Maybe they get the lights on occasionally but they often flicker and go out.  For our joy to be complete we need to remember our power source.  We need to fan into flames the gift of the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Tim. 1:6).

It is because Paul is so plugged in to the Holy Spirit that he is able to hear the LORD speaking to him.  Just when he might give in to fear the LORD gives him reassurance.  But he can do this precisely because Paul open to the power of the Spirit in his life.

One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,
“Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city.”

We often need to hear the reassurance of the LORD as well.  Even if have great confidence already we need to hear this again and again.  The LORD has already done mighty deeds through Paul.  Paul could easily believe that he is now strong enough to not be afraid.  But he still needs to hear these words.  We need to hear them often as well.  His Spirit in us can speak these words.  Let us listen.

All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.