I

am old enough to remember when you could walk with people right up to

the departure gates at an airport. Before the 9/11 terror attacks in

2001, you could see your loved ones board a plane and watch their

flight depart. But even if you don’t have that memory, we all know

what it is to have to part with someone we love.

My

daughter has a question that she still uses when I am headed out the

door. She looks at me and says, “Why you leave me?” Her words

echo the phrasing she used as a young child. Then I usually tell her

I am leaving for work and will return soon.

In

a way like children, the disciples who were gathered around Jesus

were focused on what mattered to them. “Lord, are you at this time

going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Their view was limited to

what Jesus would do for their little corner of the world. What Jesus

was about to do was so much more!

Jesus

gave them a promise (power from the Holy Spirit), a mission (to be

his witnesses), and a vision (from Jerusalem to the ends of the

earth). The disciples were on the edge of a new chapter in the

ongoing story of God and his people.

By

ascending, Jesus has gone to work in heaven for us, and he has given

us a task that is both life-challenging and life-giving. In addition,

Jesus has promised to be with us always, by his Spirit. He will never

leave us!