Ascension Dayনমুনা

Yet a Real Farewell

I have always thought that it would have been much easier if Jesus had stayed on earth. That it would be possible to travel and meet him. What could be better than being on the road with Him? His friends must have thought that living with Jesus was a beautiful life, heading for a revolution, bringing freedom. Unfortunately, there really will be a farewell.

Our Lord does understand the uneasiness that the prospect of a farewell carries. Affectionately, He gives them a perspective that goes much further than the here and now. He uses words such as preparing a guestroom, so you are assured of a warm welcome. You are expected!

"Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am." (John 14:1-3)

How can it be better? Well, of course it has everything to do with the promised Spirit of God. The great story of the Bible, is that there is a movement of the Almighty wanting to be close to people. He comes closer and closer. He visited Abraham (the father of all believers), He had a tent when the people of Israel were on their way to the land promised, and later the Almighty had a beautiful temple to live in. And then Jesus comes. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19). Later, He was arrested for that and it was the base for His death sentence. Jesus is the temple. God lives in Him. He is God present and that is why He has to go.  He was the temple that was built in three days. 

And then He leaves. Now, there is a new place where God can live. Really! Believe it or not, we are a temple, a place for God to live in. That is why it is better that He leaves. But we will not be on our own at all.