“You heard me say, `I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I” (John 14:28).
The Son is not only the sent or the given Son, but He also is the received or the welcomed Son.
Reading the Gospel of John, the ascension of our Lord opens for us a new and fuller understanding of Jesus’ relationship with the Father.
When Jesus Himself spoke about His departure – ascension, the most used word was “the Father”. His departure – His going away had something to do with the Father – His Father.
Jesus’ going wasn’t just a simple disappearing act…His was going to a very specific place – the Father’s place.
Let us consider now the relationship that Jesus had with the Heavenly Father. The first instance that sheds light on Jesus’ relationship with the Heavenly Father is mentioned by young Jesus, when His earthly parents were searching for Him. “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49).
Later, for Jesus, this world was the world that His Father created…He enjoyed the bread; the wine; He watched the flowers of the field; the birds in the air: everything around Him telling the story of His Father’s majesty, love and care. John chapter 5 and 6 reveal a Son who “brags” about His Father: how the Father loves Him and gave Him everything (John 3:35); how He loves the Father and does what the Father does and does it in obedience to Him, and on and on.
On the cross, while alone, or so it seemed, Jesus died in His Father’s arms: accepting His will; forgiving the hostile world and entrusting His soul to Him (Luke 23:46).
Ascending, Jesus’ went home to the Father. And the Father threw a party.