"Be Watchful"
Acts 1:6-14 I Peter 5:6-11
Thursday was May 1. I am sure everyone was aware of that. I am not so sure that everyone realized that it was also Ascension Day. Growing up about the only thing I knew about ascending was from watching the Honeymooners when Ralph Kramden got frustrated with his with
As Christians we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, we remember the triumphal entry and the cross during Holy Week and we rejoice on Easter as we talk about resurrection. But very seldom do we pay any attention to Ascension Day. Part of the problem is that it always comes forty days after Easter which places it on a Thursday. But Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday fall in the middle of the week and we are very familiar with them.
And it is not just us. I keep a card catalog of subjects so that if I can easily find materials while I am preparing sermons. The last and only reference I have to the Ascension is July of 1956. Obviously it is not something we spend a lot of time on. Whenever we affirm our faith using The Apostles Creed we say the words "ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty." The Ascension is an important part of our creed. Even though we don't talk about it often, it is of no minor consequence that Jesus ascended to the Father.
The ascension caused some difficulties in the early church. Since Jesus ascended people assumed his rule would begin and to them that meant that things would go well for the people who believed in Jesus. When their life situation did not change, when they continued to suffer for their faith, they began to question the rule of Jesus. The apostles began to teach that the ascension is not the end time. Jesus will come again in all his power and all his glory. Until that time comes there is ministry to be done.
Peter is letting his readers know that there are some important things to remember as you carry out ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. First, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. Paul said it a little bit differently in his letter to the Philippians. "Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves." Clothe yourselves with humility. Be willing to put on the apron of the servant. If there is any exalting to be done, let God do it.
Second, "Cast all your anxieties on God, for God cares about you." Again, Paul said it a little bit differently in Philippians. "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Don't keep your concerns about family and church to yourself. Share them with God. Don't pretend that difficulties do not exist. Open up to God, express the fears, lay them in the lap of God. That doesn't mean that the problem will automatically go away. It does mean that we do not face those problems alone. God is with us.
Third, "Be sober, be watchful." Christians have to be on their toes so that they can discern God at work. There is evil out there and it is possible for the evil to overcome you. Know that God is not aloof from this. God entered the fray in the person of Jesus. And God continues to be involved. But if you remain vigilant, you will see God's efforts to redeem the world.
Keep in mind that evil presents itself in many forms. At times it is obvious in violence, in harassment, in abuse. Just because there are no pitchforks in sight does not mean that all is well. Gossip, rumors, and good intentions that are misled can be harmful. Remember the day that Peter first proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah. When Jesus began teaching that the Son of Man would suffer and die and Peter responded, "God forbid, Lord." And Jesus responded, "Get behind me, Satan." Peter had every good intention but he was misled because he did not understand the truth.
If we are to discern between good and evil Peter wrote that we have to be sober and watchful. Again Paul wrote in Philippians, "And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
At the crucifixion it appeared that God's work had been defeated. But that was reversed with the resurrection. Forty days later Jesus ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God. The will of God has been and will be victorious.
In the meantime Christians are called to be humble, to cast their anxieties on God, and to be sober and watchful, with the realization that someday God will call us by name and will welcome us into his kingdom.