“He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” Luke 24:44-53
Last Sunday, as I watched the online worship service from Emmanuel Lutheran in Hermitage, TN, Pastor Tim Hunze announced “that they would be observing Ascension Day today, cause it falls on Thursday, and our world doesn’t ever seem to celebrate it.” Fantastic! He is correct. Ascension Day doesn’t receive any notice from Hallmark cards, candy makers, special feasts for the family or a day off from work; it should. Pastor Keith Enko shared that this day is when Jesus punched our ticket for Eternal Life, just before He ascended into Heaven.
Our world will celebrate Columbus Day, Arbor Day, May Day, Agriculture Day, President’s Day, Independence Day and Walk Your Brown Dog on your Neighbors Lawn Day but Ascension Day…never heard of that. This world of ours has so many gods to worship and celebrate but sadly, we turn our eyes away from celebrating that day when the Son of God left this earth and returned to His heavenly home; Heaven.
This is the day that Christians living in Haiti can proclaim that Jesus has not only risen, but ascended into Heaven! This day brands the vodou priest a total liar as he always insists that Jesus is still in the tomb. The ransom for our sins has been paid and our ticket is punched. I am going to close today with a few of the nine verses from the hymn ‘Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness’ that always puts a lump in my throat. It was written by Nikolaus L. von Zinzendorf, way back in the day, and sung by a small choir at the online service from Crown of Life Lutheran in Sun City West, AZ on last Sunday.
“Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness, my beauty are, my glorious dress; ’midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head. Bold shall I stand in Thy great day; for who aught to my charge shall lay? Fully absolved through these I am; from sin and fear, from guilt and shame. The holy, meek, unspotted Lamb, Who from the Father’s bosom came, Who died for me, e’en me to atone, now for my Lord and God I own. Lord, I believe Thy precious blood, which, at the mercy seat of God, forever doth for sinners plead, for me, e’en for my soul, was shed. Lord, I believe were sinners more than sands upon the ocean shore, Thou hast for all a ransom paid, for all a full atonement made. When from the dust of death I rise to claim my mansion in the skies, ev’n then this shall be all my plea, Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay