In his play, Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare wrote, “Everyone can master a grief, but he that has it.”  Shakespeare’s  words probably best describe how the apostles felt on that Ascension Day when Jesus slowly slipped from their sight returning home to his father.

For the last few weeks, the Apostles enjoyed old times.  Jesus walked and talked with them. He even cooked a breakfast for them on the beach. It definitely was the same Jesus, and he was truly alive, laughing and smiling with them waving his hands that easily showed his nail wounds.

He and Peter fixed the ache that lingered from that awful moment when Peter denied knowing Jesus after his  arrest.  A calm and caring Jesus protecting Peter simply asked him if he loved him three times and Peter answered, “Yes.” And with tears in his eyes said, “You  know that I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.”  And that was it. Peter now believes wholeheartedly what he saw Jesus do many times. Forgiveness heals more quickly and deeply than punishment.

Yet through their joy and happiness, every  apostle felt the sting of  their underlying grief.  The risen Jesus is ready to return home to his father in heaven.  While the last few weeks helped return their initial enthusiasm and passion, they understood his presence  was only temporary. He had completed what he came to do. His father missed him, and they had some private rejoicing to do together.

As Jesus takes his seat at his Father’s right hand, he returns with a sense of contentment. Jesus became human to free his father’s disobedient creation from their punishment.

 Embracing his father, Jesus will delightfully hear again those treasured affirming  words: “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.”

 With Jesus in heaven, the Holy Spirit’s role begins.  This Spirit will heal their grieving inspiring his apostles and their descendants to give their flesh and spirit to keep Jesus’  memory alive and build his kingdom.   They will do this with the sure hope that all will meet again on the last day and forever after.

 The rain will stop, the night will end, and the hurt will fade. Hope is never so lost that it can’t be found. -Ernest Hemingway