Thursday, May 10, 2018

Bishop’s Note: May 10, 2018 – The Ascension


Bishop Eric Menees

“Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven: May our hearts and minds also there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Today we celebrate one of the most important feasts in the year – the Feast of the Ascension. Like all of the feasts in the Church Year, the Feast of the Ascension is based on the Word of God:
It is based on an actual historical event.
It is the fulfillment of Jesus’ own prophetic words.
It is the fulfillment of his exaltation  - the redemption of his humility – that this man who had so horribly died on the cross for our sins now sits at the right hand of God.
What does the Ascension of Jesus teach us? First, it teaches us that Jesus is our constant Intercessor. St. Paul tells us that Jesus ascended into heaven and is very busy: “34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)

There, he sits as our intermediary between God and man. Every prayer you pray, Jesus hears and brings to the Father; constantly advocating on our behalf.

The ascended Lord is also our Judge: Matthew chapter 25 tells us that Jesus will come to separate the sheep from the goats, and Second Timothy chapter 4 tells us that Jesus will judge the living and the dead. So there he waits, enthroned at the Right hand of the Father, waiting to be our judge. This same King Jesus, who intercedes on our behalf, also prepares to be our Judge.

The Feast of the Ascension, which is on a par with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, is all about Jesus - our present Intercessor and future Judge!

The question for us, then, is how do we live in the in-between time? Are we redeeming the time until Jesus returns? Are we fulfilling the ministries he has given to the church? We have been placed where we are for a purpose.

In Acts 1:11, the two angles asked the disciples: "Why do you stand here looking into the sky?" It was the Earth, not the sky, which they should be occupied with; to be witnesses, not stargazers! Our calling is not upwards in nostalgia, but outwards in compassion to a lost world that needs Jesus. 

And to that I say AMEN!

I pray you all a very blessed Feast of the Ascension!

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