MOIRAJO
  • Weekly Devotionals
  • Weekly Message
  • Sermon Podcasts
  • Links
  • Contact

Ascension Day   May 6, 2016

5/7/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
“Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight”  Acts 1:7-9

Music:  Phil Wickham "The Ascension"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBE-VlAETzM


Yesterday, May 5, the Christian world celebrated the feast of the Ascension. 

The Feast of the what?!

Simply put, Ascension Day, which occurs forty days after Easter, celebrates when Jesus was taken in bodily form into heaven.  It is one of the earliest celebrated traditions, in some cases followed by seven days of devotions.  Some of the festivities observed include the blessing of the “first fruits,” especially grapes and beans.  Other churches rig a statue of Jesus from the altar and heisted it up through a trap door above.  Other churches have outdoor processions and banners.  In some areas it is considered unlucky to work on Ascension Day; in other parts, gifts to the blind or lame are sure to make the giver lucky in the next twelve months. 

For most of us, Ascension Day barely registered a blip.   While we may not start a procession or lift a statue of Jesus through a trap door,  it is good for us to reflect on Ascension Day.   Jesus left his disciples and ascended into heaven for a purpose.   Jesus wanted his disciples to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be witnesses to the gospel throughout the world. Through the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus, could be poured out on all peoples and spread throughout the world.   Ascension Day marks the end of Jesus' earthly life and the beginning of something greater: the gospel made known and more importantly, lived, throughout the earth.

Sometimes something good ends so something new and greater can eventually begin.  Many young people will be finishing high school or college so they can embark on a new phase of their life.  Sometimes we leave a good job to start something better or truer to our values.   Sometimes we leave one place in order to go someplace where God is calling us.   When something ends something else always begins.  We may not know what the “something” is.   It may not be obvious.   Before Jesus left, the disciples were still waiting for Israel to be rescued from the Romans. Jesus, however, showed them another way.   They would be filled with the Holy Spirit and become witnesses until the ends of the earth.  All our endings and beginnings call us to witness to Jesus, who taught us how to love one another.   In all our endings and beginnings we are given new opportunities to act like Jesus: who stood up against hypocrisy, falsehood and greed  and instead showed us how to love, pray and care for others. 

So on Ascension Day and during this week of devotions, let us reflect on our exalted Lord.  However, let us also lift up and exalt the good, the truth, and justice, at every opportunity given to us.   In all the daily endings and beginnings,  let us seek to be faithful witnesses to the One we call the Way the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).  Let our prayers and good deeds ascend to heaven, to bring the gospel paradise here on earth.

Prayer:  Exalted Lord,  Fill us with the Holy Spirit so our lives might become good news wherever you may send us.   May all our endings and beginnings witness to your love, peace, justice and mercy. Amen. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    Bible,  Living life on life's terms, spirituality

    RSS Feed

© Moira Ahearne 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.