HAPPY ASCENSION DAY

 

May 9, 2024

1 Timothy 3:14-16

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

HAPPY ASCENSION DAY!!

Happy Ascension Day? The ascension of Jesus may seem like a teaching that makes no difference. In some Christian circles the Ascension of Jesus receives little attention. I suppose when the Ascension is compared to Jesus suffering and death and his resurrection victory over death, Jesus’ ascension can seem almost an afterthought.

However, the ascension has always been a part of the Christian story. Christianity is a religion of events, not abstract ideas. It is too alive and down to earth to be lost in abstractions. Think about the story for a moment, the Jesus story, the gospel. We notice in this story there are meetings and encounters, goings and returnings, judgments and forgiveness, woundings and healings of mercy.


The apostle Paul, summarizing that story here, reminds us that the Lord who “appeared in the flesh” was also “taken up in glory.” It is from this whole story—not just part of it—that “true godliness springs” and our lives are changed.

Last Sunday in our worship time we noted with the help of The Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 18, that the Ascension of Jesus was not some after thought, some abstract idea, but holds a profound and encouraging and comforting truth that we all need to remember today.

The Catechism asks, What do you confess when you say, he ascended into heaven? We answer with:

That Christ, before the eyes of his disciples, (Acts 1:1-11)
was taken up from the earth into heaven,
and that he is there for our benefit

Then a follow-up questions comes, and this answer is what I would encourage you to read slowly, and reflect on today. Here is the question,

How does Christ's ascension into heaven benefit us?

The answer?

First,
he is our Advocate in heaven
before his Father.
Second,
we have our flesh in heaven
as a corresponding pledge that he, our Head,
will also take us, his members,
up to himself.
Third,
he sends us his Spirit as a pledge,
by whose power we seek
the things that are above,
where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God,
and not the things that are on earth.


LET US PRAY

Ascended Lord, you are our Savior and King over all things. By your Spirit, speak to us and guide us, that we may worship and honor you. Give us power to serve you and to share with others all you have done. Amen.