If you want to learn how to wait, talk to a Chicago Cubs fan.

They've been waiting for the Cubs to win the World Series for decades. I noticed that there is a T-Shirt available that has the Cubs logo on it with the words, "even if it takes forever." They are some loyal (and disappointed) fans.

It reminds me of an interview that I had with a church several years ago. The church was located just outside of Chicago. They conducted a phone interview. The interview was going great. I could feel it. Good banter. Similar philosophy of ministry. They said, "Pastor Breite, we really look forward to getting to know you better. Is there anything we should know about you that we didn't ask?"

I thought for second, and realizing the church was in the Chicago area, I said, "Well, I am a St. Louis Cardinals fan." And there was dead silence. Finally, someone said, "Oh." Then they said, "It's been nice talking to you." Never heard from them again!

Waiting isn't easy. Few of us like to wait. Many of us have "Hurry Sickness" we move from one task to another, trying to get one more thing done.

But most of life is waiting. In the doctor's office, for a job, for healing, for a loved one to come to faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible affirms the value of waiting. Psalm 27 says, "Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Take heart. And wait for the Lord."

As we look at the Ascension story, right before Jesus ascended into heaven He said to His disciples, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised…"

Why did Jesus do that? Why tell them to wait? Why didn't Jesus say, "I’m going to heaven now, but let me introduce you to the Holy Spirit." He didn't tell them how long. He didn't tell them that everything would be OK. He said, "Wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit."

What are some reasons Jesus asked the disciples to Wait, and what are some reasons that Jesus asks us to wait as well?
Why wait? To rearrange our priorities in life. Keep in mind that Jerusalem was a dangerous place for the disciples to be. They could be the next ones to be crucified. And yet, if they ran away, it would show that FEAR was in control over FAITH in the Lord. For the disciples to leave Jerusalem, it would mean leaving the battlefield and admitting defeat. Jesus was rearranging their priorities. They would be called upon to trust God in all circumstances. They would called upon to be so committed to the mission of the Church that they would suffer all things, even death, rather than fall away from it. Jesus would use this period of waiting to change their priorities.

Why wait? To test our faith. Jesus told them what to do -- wait. Jesus told them where to do it -- in Jerusalem. Jesus told them what to wait for -- the promised Holy Spirit. What Jesus did not tell them is how long they would have to wait. They had no idea if it would be a week, a month, a year, 10 years. Faith says, "God is in control." Faith says, "At just the right time, God will take care of everything." Sometimes, this can be a hard lesson to learn. (For Cubs fans, they say "even if it takes forever!)

Why wait? To teach us humility and gratitude. In life, all of us must come to a place where we understand that everything is in God's hands. We have to come to the place where we truly believe that all that we have, all that we are, is given by the grace of God.

And when He delivers us, according to His good and gracious will, our response is one of thanksgiving, with hearts and hands and voices. I'm sure that the disciples were thrilled on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they realized that He would direct the church, that it did not rest on their shoulders. Waiting teaches humility. And waiting brings even greater thanksgiving.

The message of the Ascension of our Lord is a message that powerfully speaks to all of us, including those of us who are in the waiting room.

For the Ascension of our Lord assures us that Christ's work of salvation is now complete. Nothing more can be added to what He did when He died on the cross for our sins and rose to life on Easter. Nothing more is necessary. Christ's work of salvation assures us that all believers have a happy ending to this life, and an eternity in heaven.

The Bible tells us that in the Old Testament, no chairs were allowed in the tabernacle because the priests were not allowed to sit down. They stood at all times as a reminder that their work was never done. Every day there was another animal to kill, another sacrifice to offer. But when Christ returned to heaven, he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. His sacrifice on the cross paid the price for all sin, for all time. Thank God, that Jesus is seated in heaven. His atoning work is done.

The Ascension of Jesus reminds us that we have a Friend in Heaven! Jesus understands us. He walked on this earth, He is able to sympathize with our circumstances. He cares!

Because He is now in heaven, He can help us in our times of trouble. When we pray, we don't ever have to wonder if God hears our prayers. Christ Himself is there to give us grace to help in our time of need.

Jesus prays for us in heaven. Romans 8 tells us that Jesus is now at the

right hand of God and is also interceding for us. That means He speaks on our

behalf. When I am down in the dumps, Jesus prays for me.

When I fall under a heavy load, Jesus prays for me.

When my faith gives way, Jesus prays for me.

When My prayers are inadequate, He transforms my petitions.

Jesus is our defense attorney. As sinners, God the Father has every right to reject us. But when the devil makes a claim against us, Jesus speaks up on our behalf. The Father looks at His Son, and Sees His nail-marked hands, His pierced side, and God says, "Case Dismissed."

Through the cross, all who believe in Jesus have their case dismissed and heaven is their free gift.

And when Jesus ascended into heaven, He ascended with His glorious, human body, now in heaven. And that means that we believe in a bodily resurrection. And all believers in Christ will receive a new and perfect body on the last day. And we will spend eternity with the Lord. In light of eternity, none of the minor inconveniences really matter. We will one day join Him in heaven forever.

A story is told of little boy who went outside to fly his kite. It was windy day, so the kite flew higher and higher and higher into the sky. It was so high, the boy couldn't see the kite any longer.

An adult came by and asked how the boy knew that the kite is still attached to the string. The boy said, "I can feel it pull."

The same is true for the believer today. Christ is pulling us toward heaven. He is pulling us toward our heavenly home. We know where Jesus is, and we know that we will join Him in heaven some day.

Every day, Jesus tugs on our hearts. There are many things that way us down while living here on earth. And God knows. And God cares. And He has purpose in having us wait for His deliverance.

But the believer looks forward to the day when Jesus gives us one final tug, and we are in heaven forever -- which is better by far.

Until then, let the people of God rejoice. Christ has conquered. He has won the victory. He has defeated every foe!