Until we meet again…. The Ascension.

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

The disciples had to say goodbye to Jesus, but they knew they would see him again…. Ascension Day marks a very strange event: Jesus was taken back to heaven, so you would think his disciples would be sad and devastated at his leaving them once more. Instead we read in Luke 24:52 that once he’d gone, ‘they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem very happy’. This assembly or talk explores the idea that this good-bye was a happy good-bye, not a sad one because his friends knew he was with them even though he’d gone. Watch me!

So saying good-by could be a good thing? The word ‘good-bye’ is actually a shortened version of ‘God be with you’. So saying good-by could be a good thing?

Time for reflection Do you have something that reminds you of a special friend? It may be a gift he or she gave you for your birthday or perhaps a photograph of you together. Although, as you grow up, your friends may change and keepsakes are lost or mislaid, you will always have the memories of your friends at school. Think about one of your best friends and what makes him or her special to you. Jesus’ friends, his disciples, had only memories of their time with him, too. It is from what they remembered and told others or wrote themselves that we have the accounts of Jesus’ life today in the New Testament.

We all go through life with the love of friends and family Even though we know they will all leave us eventually Never knowing where the future might lead you No worries though, there is a future for them too Because even if they're not in front of you, they will always be in your heart Nobody or nothing could tear a love like that apart With that being said, my friend, you will always be with me And when my time has come, I will meet you there, you will see. Amen