Transition is, by definition, the end or conclusion of something and the movement towards something new. In the ELCA, the word is most often used to describe the time between one pastorate and another. This can be a painful time for those who were spiritually close to the outgoing pastor. Yet, even for those folks, there is (one hopes!) a sense of new beginnings, fresh opportunities, exciting
possibilities.
As we celebrate the feast day of the Ascension of Our Lord, it is appropriate that Luke be the one who tells us the story. Not just because John speaks of the ascension but has no description of it. Not just because Mark’s version is contained in the disputed 16:9-12 section of his gospel. But because Luke is also the author of The Acts of the Apostles (Acts), in which the conclusion (fulfillment) of Jesus’ ministry segues into the birth of the Church. In fact, there is a wonderful flow in this transition:
God’s work becomes Jesus’ work.
Jesus’ work becomes the disciples’ work.
The disciples’ work becomes the Church’s work.
The Church’s work becomes (is!) our work.
The confusion of the disciples transforms into understanding, as Jesus explains the Torah to them (vs. 44-46). And there is movement from explanation, to ascension, to the faithful response of worship and joy (vs. 52-53).
There is even a geographic flow in the text, as Jesus leads the disciples back to Bethany from where Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem began. Now, as one scholar points out, Jerusalem is no longer a destination, but an origin. It is no longer the object of Jesus’ journey from Galilee, the location of his Passion; it is the place from which the next chapter of God’s salvation history will begin. (No surprise then that Acts spends its first eight chapters in the Holy City.)
There is also a transitional flow here that is reflective of the Old Testament. There, Moses gave way to Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9), and Elijah gave way to Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-14). And, lest we miss that point, Luke notes that Jesus lifts up his hands in blessing just as Moses did (Exodus 17:11) and is taken up to heaven as Elijah was (2 Kings 2:9-14). However, Jesus is not so much “giving way” to the Church as he is to the Holy Spirit – through whom the disciples will be “clothed with Power” (vs. 49) at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-31).
Finally, just in case what I have written up to now is not conclusive enough, there is that wee section in this passage (vs. 47) which is part of Jesus’ “opening their [the disciples’] minds to understand the Scriptures,” and which turns out to be a perfect summation of Acts:
… that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
