Keep On Keepin' On

“Keep On Keepin’ On”
Luke 24:44-53
Sunday June 5, 2011 – Ascension Sunday

Luke’s story this morning describes one of the most difficult events in the relationship between Jesus and his disciples.

After spending years together in ministry, working side-by-side, becoming friends, and seeing each other through some pretty rough times, it’s over and Jesus is leaving.

He gives them a few last-minute encouraging words and then he’s gone.

Yet, Luke tells us that the disciples, “returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”

Certainly it was not joy at seeing Jesus go away;
rather, it was joy at the task that Jesus laid out for them.

He promised them they would have everything they needed to continue their ministry.

He blessed them and told them to keep on keepin’ on.

Let us pray…

Lord, we are eager to receive your blessing today.

Show us the plans you have for the future of our ministries;
help us to see that you have given us everything we need to go forward.

Lead us in our meditation on your words this morning and send us out with great joy.
In Jesus’ name…Amen

In the closing section of Luke’s gospel we find a touching and important farewell scene between Jesus and his disciples.

It is touching because of the obvious emotion that is so artfully expressed in Luke’s writing.

It is important because of the teaching Jesus provides even at the end of his time here.

First, Jesus reminds us that he is the fulfillment of all that is written in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms…

“Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.”

He claims the title, “Messiah.”

And he commissions his followers to continue telling his story, first to the Chosen and then to the whole world.

Luke tells us that the disciples worshipped Jesus, returned to Jerusalem with joy, and spent time continually in the Temple.

Not only is this the first time that “worship” is mentioned in relation to Jesus, but it is also a powerful reminder that Jesus’ mission was to reconcile ALL God’s people – Chosen and Gentile – to God.

This was never about starting a new movement to replace the Jewish faith…

It was always about:

Bringing the Jews back into faithful relationship with God;

AND, opening the faith to ALL people who want to come to God, regardless of race or national origin.

For the first century disciples, worshipping the resurrected Christ while continuing to bless God in the Temple made perfect sense…

The one God of Israel – Yahweh – was manifest in the person of Jesus and promised in the coming Holy Spirit.

There is no conflict at all in this mighty God of Creation.

So, as Jesus leaves his faithful followers, he tells them  to keep on keepin’ on and keep the mission and ministry alive.

It seems no accident that the Lectionary text for this particular Sunday includes this poignant farewell scene.

Certainly, I would never presume to compare our story to the gospel, but there are a couple things I want us to take from today’s text.

First of all, we are going away because God has called us to a new phase in our ministry.

We have said from the beginning that we came here at God’s call and would stay until God decided to send us someplace else.

This has never been about us; it has always been about what God wants for the church.

Second, and ultimately, we leave with joy and send you forward with that same joy…

Together we have done a lot in five short years…

The joy of this work is important to us and it is found in the hope that you will continue the work into the future and that you will have great joy in doing the work.

As we have said, this is not “Good-bye;” it is only, “See ya later!”

We leave you in good hands and bless you for a joyful future in ministry…
Keep on keepin’ on!

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…Amen…So long, farewell!