"Why are you looking up at the sky?"

Today's readings: Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 32-35; John 17:1-11.
Sermon May 4,, 2008 Easter 7a

What an interesting question for the angels to ask the disciples after Jesus’ ascension! “Why are you looking up at the sky?”

Our reading from Acts began with the disciples asking Jesus if it was time yet for him to restore Israel as a nation: that was the people’s expectation of a Messiah – one who would come, conquer all the earthly enemies and restore Israel to its former glory. Notice two things about that idea:
They were expecting things to be put back – as they had been – ‘restore’.
They were expecting someone else to do it for them.
They still hadn’t quite grasped the meaning of Jesus’ message of radical inclusion of all peoples into God’s Kingdom, AND they were in for another surprise: there was work for them to do!

The disciples had their time with Jesus – their opportunity to listen and learn – and now Jesus informs them: you will receive power… you will be my witnesses! … and he takes off and leaves them, mouths agape, staring into heaven! Can you just picture it? I wonder if some of you, like me, have experienced that feeling?

The first experience of that kind of situation for me was when I asked my mom to teach me how to make bread. I was busy with my first baby; she gathered the ingredients, mixed them together, sat the bowl on the oven door and said, “Oh, you’ll just get the feel of it…” I stood there with my mouth open – in utter disbelief! Making bread is something quite magical, and I sure didn’t think I was ready to do it on my own after that brief illustration. I suspect it’s much the same feeling for teachers – you study and listen and watch, and then one day the professor says, “OK, it’s your turn: go and do it now!” And they want to say, “but, but … I’m not quite ready yet.”

Here were the disciples asking Jesus if he was ready to complete the work they imagined he had come for – and what does he say?? “You’re ready – the Spirit will help you – you’re going to do it” … and he’s gone !!!!! That would leave me staring up at the sky too – in fact, it does, regularly!

But that’s not the end of the story, is it? The angels appear, to jolt the disciples back to reality, with the words “why are you staring up at the sky?” … What are you waiting for? There’s work to be done here: get on with it! No more standing around, waiting for someone else to do it for you!

What a wonderful story! What an inspiring (and maybe scarey?) message for all of us.
1. Jesus didn’t come to “restore” things, to put them back ‘the way they used to be’…Jesus introduced a radical new approach to life: justice for all, abundance of love and mercy for all, and his final prayer to God was for our unity – that we might love one another as he and the Father loved one another. It wasn’t a prayer for superiority – for restoring one nation or group of people to power over others – but a prayer for unity in him…that we be one in the Spirit, together in the way of life he taught, forward looking, moving together towards God’s kingdom: that’s unity.

2. We are promised the gift of the Spirit to help us: “you will receive power”, and support and encouragement. Peter’s letter echoes that promise when he tells the people to cast all their anxieties on God, because God cares for you. “The God of all grace will support, strengthen and establish you”. We don’t have to do it alone… but we do have to do something.

3. “You will be my witnesses”, says Jesus. The teaching time - the watching me time - is over now: it’s time for you to take up the work. Transition of leadership, perhaps, and certainly moving from watching from the sidelines (safety out of the way!) to full action / participation in God’s work in the world. God’s mission. That’s what we’re about, you know: God’s work. And so the angels said, “why are you looking up at the sky?” Get on with it, in other words. The action is down here – on earth – your feet are in the middle of it!

And so, we look forward to the celebration of Pentecost next Sunday – the coming of the Spirit – the founding of the church, no longer as people gathered around one leader, but as people all empowered by the Spirit to carry out God’s work on earth, in love and unity with Christ, supported and protected by God.

“Why are you looking up at the sky?” Get busy! The world is here – right at your feet – and it needs you desperately… all of you!