Sermon for October 5, 2025 (Luke 24:44-53) by Rev. David Domanski
In the Gospel reading for this Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday, we are at the scene of the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Think of what had happened to the people who were there to witness Jesus returning to heaven. Just forty days earlier, the Lord was on the cross. He was suffering and dying. He had cried out in anguish, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” Jesus, with his face hanging toward the ground due to the weight of what He was bearing, due to the horribleness of the crucifixion and the strain it put upon His body, due to the whippings and beatings, but even more so due to the wrath vented upon Him by His Father in heaven over sin which was not His own. Jesus, in the midst of deep agony, breathlessly states, “It is finished,” then as the Gospel of John records, “He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” It is then that Jesus’ side is pierced by the spear, blood and water pouring forth signifying fully and completely the Lord Jesus Christ had died. God had died. Jesus’ body was then taken down from the cross, hurriedly wrapped with linen and spices, and laid lifeless in a tomb that was not His own. Jesus’ followers must have wondered if they would meet with Him ever again. But then, praise be to God, three days later, the first day of the week, the first Easter Sunday occurs as Jesus steps forth from the tomb alive! Jesus had conquered death and the grave. He had risen victorious! Jesus had defeated death not only for Himself but for you!
Then, in the time between Jesus’ resurrection and the day of our text, His ascension, Jesus meets with His followers. Jesus had conquered the grave, stating for believers, “You shall not die but you shall live with Christ eternally!” Then we come to this day, the day of the Ascension. Those forty days before this event must have been wondrous and inspiring, meeting with the Lord. Those there that day though must have left wondering, “I wonder where will we meet Him next?”
Jesus brought teaching and blessings when He made those appearances, and people rejoiced at His meeting with them. Then this day. Jesus now ascends into the heavens, “He parted from them.” Now, they may have thought, “Well, that was a little different than His other times of leaving, but He has always come again. I wonder where we will meet Him next?’
Through the witness of Scripture, you know that Jesus didn’t appear to them again bodily on earth. But Jesus didn’t leave them without His presence; He didn’t leave them without Him being a part of their lives. It is as Jesus promised, “I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18a).
At His ascension, Jesus had given them an assignment to carry out, one which would occupy their time, their talents, and their treasures. The assignment that Jesus gave them has ramifications for you yet to this very day. For you are the recipients of their work, you are those who have heard the proclamation, “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his [Christ’s] name to all nations.”
And this proclamation of repentance and forgiveness has been given to the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ. You, as a member of the Church, have the responsibility to proclaim the message of Christ, to be that body which proclaims repentance and forgiveness, which shows forth your Savior in what you do and say. His merciful heart is what Christ wants people to hear and know, that they may know and live in His gracious hand.
And even though you and I would both like to meet with Jesus again and see Him face-to-face, we DO meet with His love and mercy regularly, not just once in baptism, but weekly in His Holy Supper. He comes to comfort us and lead us through the Sacraments and His many other gifts so that we may enjoy peace, forgiveness, life, and salvation.
But as you know, there are many who do not meet with Jesus or know Him as their loving and gracious Savior. You are those who are blessed to know His 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 to which you look forward, where you know you will meet with the Lord for an eternity. You who know this Lord, you are the church given this Ascension Day assignment to have people meet Jesus, that they would have the joy of knowing Him who meets His people where they are to forgive, aid, and strengthen them—to give them a life of hope and peace.
Dear people of God, it is a monumental but vitally necessary task of sharing the Good News of Jesus. And you have the joy of knowing you have a partner in this work. Your LWML works to carry the Gospel to those very people who need to meet this Lord Jesus Christ. They are involved in so many ways the world over. Their Mite Boxes not only fund giving across the LCMS, but across the world! The LWML are the ones who gather blankets to take to those who are going through tragedy. They are the ones who put meals into the mouths of those who have gone through disasters as they aid relief efforts. They are the ones who, on your behalf, make certain that people in Africa have access to the Word of God. They are the ones who become for you, in numerous places, the very heart and hands of the compassionate, merciful Lord who saves, who meets people where they are and grants them life.
Yes, through supporting and becoming members of the LWML, you aid people in meeting the Lord. And where is our Lord? He is here in the church, and in the heart, hands, and voice of His people. He is in the LWML as their efforts reach others with the message of repentance and forgiveness in His name.
Yes, you are blessed, for the Lord continues to meet with His people, to meet with you, and you have forgiveness and life in His name. How blessed and enriched you are! Amen.