John 17:1-11 Easter 7 - by Don Neuendorf
Jesus said, "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them..."
That about sums it up, doesn't it? Jesus ascended to heaven. He's no longer in the world in the same way. But here we are.
Stuck.
How do you feel about that?...
There have been many times that I've wished that God would just take me to heaven. Does that sound extreme? I don't have a death wish. I have a great life filled with many blessings. But you're self-deluded if you don't recognize that this life, even if we're wealthy and strong, is a poor substitute for what Jesus is preparing for us.
"Holy Father, protect them..." Jesus prayed. Leaving us here, Jesus knew that this wasn't going to be easy. Ease and comfort were not particularly his plan. If the general develops a battle plan and then goes off to headquarters, he doesn't expect that his men will all be able to fall asleep. He knows that he has just sent them out into danger, and possibly even death. But there is a battle to fight. There is an enemy to be defeated.
Jesus ascended to heaven because that is what was best for us. If he had not done so, he says, he could not send us his Holy Spirit. Only in this way could he be with us in a better way than just physical proximity. If Jesus had remained with us, how many disciples could he have had? How many deep personal conversations could we have enjoyed with him? Out of a billion believers, how much time would you get on his schedule?
"They are still in the world." And with those sad words I recognize that I can't be too surprised at troubles, disappointments, struggles, and worries. My body is weak. Time passes and it becomes even weaker still. Not all my dreams come true, and some of the nightmares actually do come to pass. But none of this is a surprise to Jesus. He entrusted me to the care of my Father. He filled me with his Spirit. And he waits for the day when he will welcome me home.
I'll wait anxiously until then.