A synopsis of the sermon delivered by the Rev. David L. Hicks at St. Paul’s Reformed Episcopal Church on the Sunday after Ascension Day, May 23, 2004. Please read II Kings 2:1-15 and Acts 1:1-14.

Saying goodbye to someone we care about is never easy. Whether we go through lengthy departure rituals, or give an abrupt farewell, there is an attempt to minimize the sadness that comes from such occasions. Both lessons from Scripture appointed for today present “goodbye stories” that have potential for great sadness, but they conclude with a happy ending. The first story, taken from the first book of Kings, gives the account of Elijah’s ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire. When Elijah knew that the time of his departure was near, he asked his apprentice, Elisha, what request he might have before he is taken away. Elisha responds, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” Elijah replies, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” Elisha does indeed see his master go up into heaven by a whirlwind, and he continues the prophetic ministry begun by Elijah in the power of God’s Spirit.

The second story, being similar to the first, is the account of Jesus’ ascension into heaven after his resurrection from the dead. Both Jesus and Elijah depart within view of their followers, and both departures bequeath the power of God’s spirit to the disciples. In Jesus’ prophetic role during his earthly ministry, there are places where Jesus acts in ways reminiscent of Elijah and Elisha. For example, they all raise to life the dead son of a widow (Elijah – I Kings 17, Elisha – II Kings 4, and Jesus – Luke 7). In spite of the similarities, however, there are some great differences; most notably that Jesus, as the Son of God, is superior in status to Elijah. This is evident in the manner in which Jesus departs the earth. Whereas Elijah was able to secure the power of the Spirit for his single follower, Jesus’ ascension grants the power of the Holy Spirit to the entirety of the church. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit acts in such a way that Christ is still present with his people, although his body is physically absent: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (St. John 14:23). Jesus’ ascension is superior to Elijah’s departure in another way too – namely, in the promise that Jesus will return someday. The angels said to the disciples, as they were gazing into heaven, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Whereas, Elijah went in to heaven and was seen by Elijah no more (II Kings 2:12); Jesus departs but guarantees that he will be seen again: as Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (St. John 14:3).

Christ said goodbye to his church 2,000 years ago; but we should not treat his departure as we would with friends and family. Jesus maintains a closeness and unity with his people through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. His word and sacraments bind us to him in an unfathomable way, and no earthly association can compare to it. What is more, we have the blessed hope of the consummation of all things when our Savior physically returns to this earth someday. There is no need for the Christian to be sad when remembering this “goodbye.”