| Is Jesus Enough? - article by Joel Hempel
Many years ago, at our church in Cincinnati, on a Wednesday evening celebrating Ascension Eve, I stood up when it was time for the message and told the congregation: “It has been wonderful serving this congregation. It has meant a great deal to me to have spent this time with you. Your love of my family and me, especially your love of Jesus Christ, has been demonstrated in your commitment to serving this church and the community. Thank you! I will never forget you! But now it is time for me to go! God bless you!”
I then walked out the door and did not return. From what Marcia reported, you could have heard the proverbial pin drop. But then people started whispering to each other, followed by questions spoken aloud. An infrequent worshipper turned around and asked Marcia, “Where’s his wife? Maybe she knows.”
“I’m his wife, and I don’t know!”
After a few minutes of confusion and shock, my colleague – Pastor Bob Hullinger – stood up, walked up to the pulpit, and announced, “Dear friends, if I could have your attention, Pastor Joel wanted me to tell you that he and I together planned this evening. Together, we decided he would leave, and I would take over the service. Joel would not leave you without direction and a plan for how to proceed. He loves you too much to do otherwise.” And with that, people started catching on to what just happened.
That Ascension Eve in Cincinnati, my colleague and I gave the congregation a small taste of what the first disciples experienced as Jesus ascended and returned to his Father’s side.
Is Jesus enough?
As most of you know who are reading this article, God-In-The-Flesh Jesus completed his work of salvation. He won our freedom from Satan’s grip and death’s victorious intentions. But then, it was time for him to leave the community of believers he had created. His departure would be painful and confusing, but his followers would soon understand.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27),” Jesus reassured his disciples as he prepared to leave them. But as hard as it would be on the disciples, the singular presence of Jesus had to give way to the ubiquitous presence of the Holy Spirit.
Like the first disciples, would all of us want the man Jesus in our lives to hold us and personally teach us his Way? Of course! But Jesus knew the little community of believers was going to grow into a global church with tens of millions of followers. That global community – the church -us – would need what only the Spirit of Christ can give: God’s loving, comforting, and guiding presence to all of us simultaneously.
Is Jesus enough? Yes, and the Spirit of Christ still is. | 
