when we center on Jesus

And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Luke 24:52-53

This was the response of the apostles after Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection. In their response we see them continuing in a relationship with Jesus even as He is now gone from them. And from this we see how we should respond as disciples who follow Jesus right now.

Worship. The first response of a follower of Jesus is to worship Him. He has saved us. He died for us. He is risen from the dead. He gives us life. He commands us in following Him to help make disciples of others. And all of that is in a context of worship. One of the key things disciples do is gather in worship. We gather to know Him, to praise Jesus, to learn from His Word, and to encourage one another as we follow Jesus.

Joy. The life of a disciple is NOT dull drudgery. It is not the tyranny of religious rules. It not mere checklist following, looking down our noses in judgment of others, or mournful sin shaming. Jesus brings joy! He wants us to know life in Him “to the full”. It is all an outrageously fun adventure. If not…. Well then personally… I’m out! A disciple’s life is the ultimate in fulfillment… a wonderful joy in Jesus that goes beyond the worst losses and pains life may throw at us. Jesus is our joy. Even though He is not physically among us, His joy is. And every gathering of believers should stoke that joy! Which leads to the third response…

Gathered Community. The first disciples, when Jesus was absent, instantly became a gathered group around His teachings. They began meeting at the temple… it appears from here, and in Acts, it was a daily experience. Christians need community. We aren’t solo artists. We are a big, loving, slightly messy, always together, diverse and beautiful band! At the center of each gathering is blessing Jesus, believing and celebrating the gospel, and blessing one another. We receive blessing in the Word, in song, in praise, in the sweet fellowship of the saints. We know one another, mess and all, and love one another as Christ loves us, mess and all! And in these ways we KNOW Jesus is with us, even as He now is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.