When the Church gathers, it regularly remembers Christ’s ascension. The words “He ascended into heaven” are found in the three ecumenical creeds Christians use to confess their faith. In addition, the Church sets aside a day each year to focus on Christ’s ascension. This is for good reason. Jesus’ ascension marked the fact that his work was complete, in one sense. Never again will a sacrifice for sins need to be made. However, Jesus’ ascension also marks that, in another sense, his work is just beginning. Through the Church, Jesus now proclaims forgiveness of sins throughout the world. The Church consists of people like us who are often weak and timid witnesses for Christ. So, Jesus promised to send us his Spirit to give us power from heaven, that we might take the gospel to the ends of the earth. More, he ascended into heaven and sat down on the throne of God. He lives and reigns over everything for the benefit of his Church.

Conventional wisdom says that joy is a direct result of circumstance. Our disposition is nothing more than the product of events, conditions, and relationships of which our life consists. Therfore, it would seem that for our disposition to change, our circumstances need to change. But Jesus offers a joy that is superior. It is not a product of circumstance, it's a product of Easter. Easter proves that God can take what normally causes people to weep and turn it into what causes people to rejoice. Sin, death, and shame went into Jesus' tomb. Forgiveness, life, and joy came out. Our risen Savior gives us a joy that remains constant in the highest of life's highs and the lowest of life's lows. Because he lives, we have deep and lasting joy.

The world is full of talkers. There are plenty of people who say they care about you. But we are aware of what many of those people will do when it comes time to put those words into action. Jesus tells you in His Word that He cares for you dearly...that He would do anything for you...that He's leading you into the green pastures of paradise. How do you know you can trust Him? Simple. Jesus followed up His words with action. Jesus promised He would die to save you from your sin. He did. Scripture promised the Savior would rise from the dead, proving the payment for sins was complete. It happened. Jesus always does what he says. His every promise fullfiled. Jesus once illustrated that point in a striking metaphor, that of the Good Shepherd. All shepherds use words, calling to the sheep hoping they will follow. What sets the Good Shepherd apart is the fact that His words are followed by action, including His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep. Because He lives, we know Jesus is trustworthy and true.

If Jesus remained dead, all He would provide is an example of a beautiful life. Therefore, if Jesus remained dead, the mission of his followers would simply be to share advice. "Here is how Jesus would want us to love one another." Or "Jesus would want us to think about money like this." Or "This is how Jesus would pray." But because he lives, his followers now have a meaningful mission. It is not to share advice, but to testify to what we have seen and know to be to be true. Christ has risen! Thus, Jesus is not a standard, but our Savior. Jesus is nor primarily an example for this life, but the doorway into eternal life. His resurrection to glory will be the resurrection of all who put their faith in Him. Sharing that good news - that's our mission. The Sundays after Easter can seem like a bit of a letdown. Chances are the church isn't quite as full. There might not be a choir or special instruments to go along with our hymns. Even the lilies have begun to wilt or been pitched or planted. It might feel like the fun is all over. Wrong! The adventure as just begun. Because He lives! Therefore, we have a meaningful mission. Let us open our eyes to the privilege and the opportunity.

This week we see how our Father makes the treasures of his house available to any and all. He places them in the last place we’d expect—the trash. In God’s family, the things the world prizes and pursues are counted as worthless. Conversely, what the world rejects and discards is considered priceless and worth pursuing. The best example of this is Jesus Christ himself. The Father sent his greatest treasure—God the Son —to earth. And many considered Jesus to be a trash that needed to be taken out. . . a troublemaker that needed to be killed. In truth, Christ is the precious cornerstone that God used to build his house, the one with the open door.

The door to God and the glory he has prepared for us stands wide open. However, he has mapped out a very specific pathway to that door. It is not an easy one. As it did with Jesus, this route takes us through opposition, suffering, and even death. While our human nature may cause us to want to take a detour around these things, Jesus own life shows us that no detour is allowed. His cross came before his crown. The same path lies ahead of us. However, at the end of it, through the open door, we are offered a reward far superior to anything the world can offer.

The heavenly Father is always present in the lives of his children. He sees every sorrow we endure. He also sees every sin that we commit, even if it’s only in our thoughts. He is always present. Yet, he is also always patient. God does not snap at us the second we turn from him. He gives us time to see the error of our ways. He assures us that the door back to him remains always open. By giving us room to share our struggles and shortcomings, he works in us the very repentance he desires and saves us from the judgement that would otherwise be ours.

In 2009, Facebook added the “like” button. That same year, Twitter added the “retweet” feature. Interestingly, reported cases of depression began to rise sharply in 2010. It is easy to think that the more people like us, the more successful our lives must be. Likewise, it is easy to believe the more people like a church, the more successful that church is. So here is an important epiphany for both individuals and churches. Popularity is not proof of success. Though there will be times when Christ’s gospel and those who proclaim it are popular, that popularity is never the goal. Nor does that popularity define success. If a church makes its central focus things like personal improvement, healing for the sick, or social justice, that church may draw a crowd. It just fails to carry out the true agenda Christ has given his Church. The gospel of forgiveness is to be the center of all our preaching and teaching. The agenda for Christ’s Church is set. It’s the same agenda that was followed by the Church’s Christ.