Today is Thursday, forty days after Easter. We will have a communion service tonight. Many of you are not used to coming to church on a Thursday. But today marks an important truth for every Christian. The God who left heaven and came down to earth, went back to heaven after completing his mission. His visible presence is over for now, but he is truly with us, in flesh and blood. Ascension Day is really about this. Hebrews 1:3 says that after making purification for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. He rules over all things. He's still got a human body. His wounds show that. But he has gone there to be our ruler, our advocate, our high priest to pray for us, and to prepare a place for us to go to. He has not left us alone. He went so that he could send the Holy Spirit to us (John 14:16). 

  Luke writes that after Jesus ascended, "They returned to Jerusalem with great joy."  They were not left alone. He ascended to be with you, all of you, in every place. He does this by the Holy Spirit working through the church's ministry. When I preach from the Bible, Jesus is speaking to you. When I baptize a person, Jesus is washing away their sins. When I place in your mouth the bread and wine, Jesus is feeding you his body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins.  Jesus ascended to share these gifts with you, as well as the gift of eternal life. "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3).  Jesus is present when you tell another person the good news that you have been forgiven all your sins and will live forever.  He also hears your prayers and advocates for you from the vantage point of his throne at the right hand of the Father. 

  He wants us to go out in his name and preach the gospel everwhere. He is not distant or dead, but very near. Take heart in this and know you have a friend in heaven.