Withdrawing to be Closer Still

Written By Rev. David Price

Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:50)

After the Resurrection, Jesus made appearances to some of his followers. At one point he appeared to the Eleven and their companions. He spent time with them: ate some broiled fish, and opened their minds to understand the scriptures as the broad context for him to be revealed as the Messiah. He declared that repentance and forgiveness of sins would ripple out in his name from there, around the world (Luke 24). He told them that in Jerusalem they would be clothed with power from on high—something promised by the Father.

Though they were to be in Jerusalem for this mighty outpouring, he led them for the moment a few miles across the Kidron Valley, passed the Mount of Olives, to the village of Bethany. He led them there to experience his withdrawal from them—his ascension to heaven. The location interests me because this is a place of intimacy for Jesus. His very close friends, Lazarus, and his sisters, Martha and Mary, were from there. In this setting, Jesus had some of his experiences of human closeness. Yet now, it becomes the locale for his departure from them.

I feel this is intentional. Perhaps he is signaling that the intimacy that will result after his entrance to an eternal realm will surpass by far the closeness they all had in their years with him in ministry. Our Collect for The Ascension says that Jesus ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. Consider that he is able from that realm to fill our hearts all these centuries later, all these miles across the world.

Staying mindful of Christ’s infilling of our being, we are closer to the Ascended Christ, than we ever might have been had we spent day after day with him over a three-year mission, as he announced the Kingdom of God in Galilee and Judea. He withdrew from his friends to be closer still to them, intimately close to later followers, profoundly close to you who love him now.

Rev. David Price

Fr. Price joined St. Francis as Assistant Rector in September 2016. He says, “I am eager to be part of St. Francis’ efforts to work, pray, and give.” Fr. Price just completed a 10 year pastorate as Rector of Grace Church, Alvin and celebrated his 32nd anniversary of ordained ministry. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, a graduate of the University of Arizona, he completed his theological training at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin in 1984. He served on parish staffs in Midland, Lubbock, and Palestine, before becoming Rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and School, Houston in 1994.

Fr. Price loves the variety of parish ministry: learning, worshiping, serving, and discovering things in small group fellowship. He recognizes the strength and health of St. Francis Church. He is convinced that in parish work, “God draws people in, builds them up and sends them out to be ambassadors of reconciliation in the world”. He has been married to Jennifer for 35 years. Jennifer, a cardiac nurse, works at CHI St. Luke's Health in the Medical Center. They are proud parents of three adult children: daughters, Emily Hatzel and Hannah Loyd, and son, Andrew Price. They are excited that they recently became grandparents. Fr. Price and Jennifer are both interested in improving their personal health through nutrition and physical activity. He has finished several marathons, half-marathons and triathlons in the last few years.

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