Daniel 7.9-14; Acts 1.1-11; Luke 24.44-53

Things are not always what they seem. Appearances can be deceptive.

A security guard worked at a factory. One day he spotted one of the factory workers leaving, pushing a wheelbarrow with a suspicious package in it. The guard stopped the man, opened up the package, only to discover that it contained nothing more than some old bits of rubbish, sawdust and sweepings from the floor.

The following day, he saw the same worker leaving at the end of the day, again with his wheelbarrow containing a package. He knew something was not right, but again, when he opened up the package, there was nothing of value.

This same thing happened every day for two weeks. Finally the guard realised that the worker had got the better of him.

“OK,” he said, “I give up. Tell me what’s going on. I know you’re up to something, but I can’t figure out what it is. If I promise not to have you arrested, please put me out of my misery. Tell me, what is it you’re stealing?”

The worker smiled, looked at the guard and said, “Wheelbarrows, my friend. I’m stealing wheelbarrows.”

The appearance of Jesus on earth was deceptive. He went around as a humble man. He didn’t have a large house or many chariots. He didn’t have lots of servants, though he had a group of 12 loyal men around him, and many other followers, women and men, but he served them - think of the foot-washing episode. He wasn’t rich, was born in an obscure village to a young peasant woman.

But appearances are deceptive, and on Ascension Day we remember a quite different Jesus - we now see Jesus as king.

Our reading this evening from Daniel foretells one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven, to whom the Ancient One, God, gives dominion, glory and kingship, so that all peoples and nations and languages will serve him. That dominion will be everlasting and his kingship eternal. Jesus himself, in the Gospels, made it clear that he was the one coming on the clouds of heaven.

So we now have revealed to us, the real Jesus. Jesus the king.

And yet, we know that the real Jesus, the Jesus who walked this earth 2000 years ago, was also real. He didn’t unbecome king, when he, in the words of the letter to the Philippians, “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” What he did was to divest himself of some of his kingly power, not as in many fairy tales when princes become paupers because of the power of an evil stronger than their goodness, but because he chose to.

But now, on Ascension Day, we remember how Jesus took back those powers, how he re-clothed himself with the power and authority given to him by God.

So what is he doing now that he has had his glory restored?

If we look closely at our Bibles, we can pick out three things that his ascension means for us.

First, we need to turn to John 14, and the words that are so often read at funerals: “I go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am, you may be also.” Jesus’s kingship opens up to us the gate of heaven and of everlasting life.

How do we get there? When Thomas asked that question, he was told “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

We don’t have to do anything; it’s already been done for us, and that’s one of the great things we celebrate on Ascension Day, that because of Jesus, that gate is now open for us.

Second, Jesus is praying for us. Hebrews 7.25 tells us that “he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them” Jesus prays on our behalf. The first letter of John says these words, which used to be a familiar part of the communion service, “If anyone sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins.”

So, although the work of Christ on earth is ended, he still carries on interceding on our behalf.

And, third, the Ascension means that the way is open for the Holy Spirit to dwell among us. Jesus’s words to his disciples from John chapter 16: “I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

Jesus in human form was limited in time and space; the Holy Spirit is not. So the leaving of Jesus unleashes the power of God through the Holy Spirit throughout the world and throughout all ages.

So, in answer to the question, what does the Ascension mean for us, we can offer three responses.

The Ascension means that Jesus has had his glory restored. It means that he is even now preparing our places in heaven, and that before we get there, we are not left alone, but that the Holy Spirit of God is with us, imbuing us with abundant life.

What great things to celebrate this day!