Goodbyes are hard. A visit from loved ones ends all too soon with tearful goodbyes at the airport. Graduates celebrate their accomplishment, but find it’s bittersweet, because it means leaving friends behind and moving on.
Today we commemorate Jesus’ goodbye to His disciples. 40 days after Easter He raised His hands in blessing and ascended into heaven with His visible presence. They would never again see Him in their lifetimes. Yet this was a very good “goodbye.” Jesus ascended in triumph having accomplished everything He came to do. He fulfilled the law for sinners. He bore the guilt of every human being and made peace between people and God by fully paying for all sin by His sacrificial death. He rose in glory and ascended to rule over all things at the Father’s right hand.
This was a very good “goodbye,” for even though the disciples wouldn’t see Him, He promised them and us: “Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Even though we don’t see Him, He is not far away. He is very near to hear our prayers and to speak to us in His Word. And one day we will see Him coming back to take us home to eternal joy. |
