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The Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed

Christ Church Episcopal

May 21, 2020

Ascension Day

            On this Ascension Day, we might expect to hear the story from Acts where Jesus is lifted into the heavens as the astonished disciples look on.  And we will hear that story on Sunday.  But the reading appointed by the lectionary for Evening Prayer on Ascension Day is the story of the Great Commission from Matthew’s gospel.  This is the last scene in Matthew’s gospel and while we don’t get to see Jesus being lifted into heaven, this passage has the same effect of bringing Jesus’ time on earth to an end. 

          In some ways, I prefer Matthew’s account of the end of Jesus’ time on earth.  We are not left with the questions of “Where did Jesus’ go?” and “How did he get there?” and “Where, exactly, is he now?”  While good and interesting questions, those questions can distract us from the main question, which is “What are we as Jesus’ disciples to do now?”  And because I am a person who likes a good set of instructions, Matthew’s story is much more helpful to me.  When Jesus meets his remaining 11 disciples on the mountain, he gives them very clear instructions about the path forward. 

          First, let’s note who is there.  Matthew does not refer to the disciples generically, saying “Now the disciples went to Galilee.”  Instead, Matthew tells us that the 11 disciples went to Galilee, reminding us of Judas’ betrayal and that this is a broken group of disciples going to Galilee to meet Jesus as Jesus had directed them.  The disciples had heard that the tomb was empty and that Jesus had appeared to the women as they fled the tomb.  The story flows like this is Easter night, but the distance from Jerusalem to Galilee is not walkable in an afternoon or even a day.  So my guess is that they were a broken and confused band of dirty and tired disciples who made their way to Galilee and to the mountain for whatever awaited them there.

          Then, when the disciples reach the mountain and see Jesus, they worshiped, but, we are told, some doubted.  So, to broken, tired, and probably confused if not scared, we can add doubting to the adjectives describing the group of disciples that encounter the risen Christ.

          To this motley crew of followers, Jesus says “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”  This sounds a lot like me saying to our sons with they were children: “I’m the mom. Don’t argue with me.”  Then Jesus tells the disciples to go and make disciples, to baptize them, and to teach them to obey all that Jesus has commanded them.  They are to go, not huddle on the mountain.  We are to go, if not physically at the current moment, then online, via email, phone call, text message, or snail mail.  We are to go outside of our comfort zones, which may or may not be a physical place.  The disciples and we are to make disciples.  Disciples, it turns out, don’t just happen.  They are made, which takes effort.  In case we are unsure about how to make disciples, Jesus tells us.  Baptize them-bring them fully into the household of God, and teach them to obey Jesus’ teachings, most of which are about how we are to love each other and the world.  If not simple or easy, at least Jesus is clear.

          The last thing Jesus says is perhaps the most important.  To this weary, broken, and doubting band of disciples, and to us in our weariness, frustration, loneliness and doubt over the current challenging situation and whatever other forces we may be dealing with, Jesus says “And remember.  I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  We do nothing alone.  We don’t leave our comfort zones alone.  We don’t make disciples alone.  We don’t try to obey everything Jesus taught by ourselves much less try to teach others alone.  We don’t have to deal with Covid-19 alone or the many ways the tentacles of the virus reach into our lives.  The message of Easter, the message of Ascension Day, and the message of Pentecost 10 days from now is the same.  While there is much we are called to do and be in this world as followers of the crucified and risen One, there is nothing we must do or be alone.  Nothing.  

                                                                             Amen.