When Will We Meet Him Again?

​LWML Sunday – 2026                                                                                  LSB #’s 832, 830, 837
Text – Luke 24:51
 
While He blessed them, He parted from them & was carried up into heaven.
 
WHEN WILL WE MEET HIM AGAIN?
 
 
Going through life there are those wonderful chance meetings that have great impact.  You had that moment when you met your spouse, or that person who gave you new insight.  
It might be someone who by their witness moved you to change the direction you were going in life.  If the shoe was on the other foot, maybe you helped change someone’s direction.  Later, you’re left wondering if you’ll meet that person again. 
In the Gospel reading, we’re at the scene of the ascension of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.  Think of what has happened.  Forty plus days ago, Jesus was on the cross – suffering & dying.  He’d cried out in anguish, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?”  
Due to the weight of what He was enduring,  due to the strain  the horribleness of the crucifixion put on His body,  due to the scourging & beatings,  due to the wrath vented upon Him by His Father over sin which was not His own,  the face of Jesus was hanging toward the ground.  
In the midst of deep agony, Jesus breathlessly states, “It is finished.”  As the Gospel of John records, “He bowed his head & gave up His spirit.”  It is then Jesus’ side is pierced by the spear.  Blood & water pour forth signifying that the Lord Jesus Christ had died.  God had died.  
Jesus’ body is taken from the cross, wrapped with linen & spices to be laid in a tomb.  Jesus’ followers must have wondered if they’d meet Him ever again.  But then, three days later, the first Easter morning occurs as Jesus steps from the tomb alive!  He had risen victorious!   Jesus had defeated death not only for Himself but for you the believer.  
Then, in the time between Jesus’ resurrection & the day of His ascension, Jesus meets with His followers.  He is alive!  He’d conquered the grave, stating for believers, stating for you who believe today, it’s a reality, it is truth – you shall not die but will live with Christ eternally!  The forty days before this event must have been wondrous & inspiring, hanging out with the Lord.  Then we come to the day of His ascension.  Those with Him that day must have left wondering, “Where will Jesus meet us next?  What joy awaits us!” 
Jesus brought teaching & blessings when He made those appearances. People rejoiced at His meeting with them.  Then this day, “…He parted from them…”  (Luke 24:51 ESV)  Jesus ascends into the heavens.   Now, they may have thought, “That was a little different than His other times of leaving, but He’s always come back.  I wonder where we will meet Him next?” 
Through God’s Word, you’ve read that Jesus did not appear to them on earth again.  But, as you know, Jesus did not leave them without His presence; He didn’t leave them without being a part of their lives.  Jesus promised, “I will not leave you as orphans.”  (John 14:18a ESV)   At His ascension, Jesus gave them an assignment, one to occupy their time, talent & treasure.  
The assignment Jesus gave has ramifications for us to this very day.  We’re the recipients of their work.   You & I have heard the proclamation, “that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in [Christ’s] name to all nations.”  (Luke 24:47 ESV)    We have heard of the need of repentance & forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ.  We have felt that need. 
We’ve had those occasions in life where we wondered just where the Lord Jesus is for us.  As those at the ascension may have left thinking “Where will Jesus meet with us next?”  So too, we go through this life with doubts  that easily arise from the challenges coming to us, doubts about the resurrection, creation & the promises  Christ brings.  
Maybe you question how God could love you, if God will meet with you, care for you.  Where is this Jesus of promise?  Where will Christ meet me & come to my aid?  We’re called to recognize there’s much over which we need to repent & know the reconciling peace with God.  Of our own efforts & our own ways there is no ability in us to reconcile with Almighty God.  By our works there can be no peace with the Lord.   That is why this proclamation of repentance for forgiveness in the name of Jesus is so vitally important.  The very proclamation of repentance for forgiveness has been given to the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ.  
You, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, have the responsibility to proclaim the message of Christ, to be that body which proclaims repentance for forgiveness, which shows the merciful Christ through what you do & what you say.  For that message, a merciful heart is what Christ wants people to hear & know, that they may know & live in His gracious care. 
Those who returned to Jerusalem with joy that Ascension Day wondered when they would meet with Jesus again.  From then on, when they met & recalled the glorious gifts the Lord had given them, He came to them in the breaking of bread.  From then on, He joined with them through the waters of Baptism.  He came to them through the Word.  
Jesus was present with them in the Means of Grace.  The same is true for you.  You don’t have to wonder where the Lord Jesus is, you don’t have to search for Him.  You don’t need to wonder if He is present here with you in this life to lead & guide you, to comfort you. 
Why?  Because the Lord Jesus still comes to you.   He comes in the Holy Supper.   There, Jesus touches your lips!    He meets you in the waters of Holy Baptism, the Lord Jesus comes to you in this sacred act as you are baptized into the Lord’s death & raised into the Lord’s life, thus granting you new life.  (Romans 6:3–4)  
Yes, the Lord Jesus meets with you.  Even through the Word of God the Lord Jesus meets you as He who is the Word made flesh, gives to you Himself in & through that Word.   Your life is tied to Christ, for He gives to you the words of eternal life.   True life is only given by the Lord Jesus Christ.  In His means of grace, the Lord Jesus meets you!  When He meets with you, He brings to you His gifts.  He gives to you His life.  He gives to You forgiveness.  He gives to you His peace.  He gives to you His promises.  He gives to you freedom – freedom to live & express Jesus in the world.  He meets you here in this world that you may know this God & Lord, & to do so with great joy. 
But as you know, dear people of God, there are many who do not meet with the Lord to know Him as their loving & gracious Savior.   You are blessed to know the forgiveness of sins.  You are blessed to know this Jesus Christ who has done all things necessary for your salvation.  
You are blessed to know you have a glorious home where you’ll meet with the Lord forever.  You who know this Lord, you are the church given this Ascension Day assignment to have people meet this Lord, that they too may have the joy of knowing Jesus.  This Lord meets His people where they are to forgive, aid & strengthen them, to give them a life of hope & peace. 
Dear people of God, it is a monumental & vitally necessary task.  You have the immense joy of knowing you have a partner in this work.  Your LWM work to carry the Gospel to the very people who need to meet this Lord Jesus Christ.  They’re involved in many ways the world over.  
They gather blankets for those going through tragedy.  They put meals into the mouths of people who’ve gone through disasters.  They are the ones who, on your behalf, make certain that people in Africa have access to the Word of God.  They’re the ones who become for you, in many places, the very heart & hands of the compassionate, merciful Lord who saves. 
You have the joy of an amazing partnership in the Gospel as you give of your treasures, give of your time, give of your talents.  LWM support, encourage & uplift missionaries & places of compassion, spreading the message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name.  
Through their efforts, their commitment, & their joy in service, your gifts touch so many lives, so many people.  You have had an amazing impact.  What a tremendous heart, hands & voice are yours as you partner with them in the Gospel.   Yes, through these efforts you aid people in meeting the Lord.   It is a gracious meeting that they may know where He is, & that He continues to meet people through His church.   Here God’s people gather, for the joy of knowing repentance for the forgiveness of sin in the name of Jesus. 
Where is our Lord?  He is here, in the heart, hands & voices of His people.  He is there in the LWML as the Holy Spirit works through their efforts reaching others with the message of repentance for forgiveness in the name of Jesus.  The Lord truly is where His Word is preached, & His Sacraments are rightly administered in His name.  
Yes, you are blessed, for the Lord continues to meet with His people, to meet with you.   He brings you forgiveness & life in His name.  How blessed & enriched you are!  Amen. 
 
 
 
Enter, mighty Word, the field; ripe the promise of its yield.   But the reapers, oh how few for the work there is to do!     Lord of harvest, great & kind, rouse to action heart & mind; let the gathering nations all see Your light & heed Your call.  Amen.  LSB 830:5-6.