Dear friends,
Last May 30, 2019 was the Ascension Day in the Christian calendar. The ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ happened 40 days after the resurrection.
What can we learn from the ascension of Jesus?
First, Jesus has given all His disciples a blessing.
Luke 24:50 says, “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.”
What could this blessing be? We do not know the exact words of the blessing but we can have a clue on what is that on Matthew 28:16-20. The event in that verse is when Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples. This happened probably days before or weeks before the ascension. The blessing of Jesus here is in a form of a promise — “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Acts 1 also tells us that Jesus promised that they will receive power from the Holy Spirit. With this kind of blessing we can have the courage to spread the Gospel of salvation.
Second, Jesus is coming back.
Luke 24:51 says, “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” Dr. Luke followed it up in the Book of Acts that two angels assured the gathered disciples that Jesus is coming again. Let us continue in doing the mission that Jesus has entrusted to us because we believe that someday Jesus is coming back.
Third, there is joy in worshipping Jesus.
Luke 24:52-53 says, “Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
The 11 disciples knew that there will be struggles ahead of them. And indeed we know in church history that most of them were martyred because of their faith. But they were filled with joy in worshipping the Lord.
This should be the same with us. We must be joyful in praising God while we are in the church or outside the church. If you are feeling dry, then pray that God will restore the joy of your salvation.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on