ASCENSION DAY!!

How many of you readers know that today is Ascension Day? Our pastor asked that question this past Sunday in our church, and for people who knew to raise their hands. Of course mine went up right away, but only a couple of other people knew that Ascension Day was today.

This is a day to celebrate because for Jesus it was His coronation day. The Amish people are ahead of most of the rest of us as they designate this day as a holiday - no work, all shops closed.

In my theology Ascension Day is as important as Christmas or Easter. This day is observed forty days after Jesus' resurrection. This is based on Acts 1:1-3: "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God."

The account of Jesus ascension is found in Acts 1:9-11: "After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

What an experience that must have been for these men! Wow! Can you imagine that? Wouldn't you have stood looking too? Not only must Jesus' ascension have been a sight to behold, but then two "men dressed in white" standing there, coming from where? And speaking to them as well! And where did they go then? I find it intriguing to try and put myself in that situation.

But what does this mean to us, and why is this an important day to remember? Once again the scripture has the answer to that for me. The following is an important scripture as it gives us an insight into this event. "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (Ephesians 1:18-23).

Perhaps our the eyes of our hearts need enlightening? Our hope, our inheritance is wrapped up in Jesus' ascension and His place of power at God's right hand. Perhaps we need some of that resurrection/ascension power? Do we understand the authority Jesus has at God's right hand? That authority is "above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given." And furthermore Jesus' rule extends to "his body, the church," with "all things being placed under his feet."

From the right hand of God, Jesus also has sent His Holy Spirit to live in the lives of His followers. "Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear" (Acts 1:13). In addition we are told that Jesus is at God's right hand to intercede for us. "Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us" (Romans 8:34).

All of this should be enough to make us want to celebrate! We are blest in so many ways! So we have some ballons in the front of our house. We want to make this day a day of celebration in whatever way we can. Of course I need to go to a doctor in Wichita, but as I said in another post, I'm glad for doctors who can help with our health care.

May all who read this have a very happy and blessed day. May those who are followers of Jesus receive a special blessing as you think again of what the Lord has done for us. If you do not know Jesus in a very personal way, perhaps you might want to consider that for your life.

I remain

Pilgrim on the way