Tomorrow (May 18th) is the Feast of the Ascension. Even though it is one of the seven principal feasts of the church calendar, it is often forgotten, likely for two reasons: One, we don’t realize that it is important. And two, it always falls on a Thursday, rather than a Sunday. But we shouldn’t forget it—imagine forgetting Christmas just because it fell on a weekday! The four movements (incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension) of the work of Jesus Christ are all essential, and each needs to be remembered and celebrated.
The ascension matters for a variety of reasons. Jesus told the disciples that it was better for him to go away, a statement that we might still struggle to believe. After all, wouldn’t it be easier if Jesus were still here, with us? But the ascension was better than remaining, according to Jesus. Here are a few reasons why:
First, Jesus ascended so that the Holy Spirit could be given by the Father, through the Son. As Jesus was anointed with the Spirit to begin his ministry, the Church was anointed with the Spirit for its ministry. Without the ascension, there is no Pentecost, and no gift of the Spirit to each of us.
Second, Jesus went to present his sacrifice of himself to the Father, which the Father accepted as perfect and sufficient. Hebrews describes Jesus as the great high priest, entering the Holy of Holies in the heavenly temple with his own blood to atone for our sins. When he ascended, the sacrifice was accepted, and therefore we are freed from our condemnation, impurity, and shame.
Third, Jesus went to intercede for us before the Father. Because he ascended, we have a high priest pleading on our behalf before the throne of God. We have an advocate in the throne room!
Fourth, because Jesus joined himself to human nature in the incarnation, he took human nature back into heaven with him in the ascension. Because we are joined to him—made a part of his body—and because he has ascended, we have been brought into heaven and seated in the heavenly places. Because of the ascension, we have access to the throne of God.
Fifth, Jesus went to receive his kingdom. Although we are still waiting for all things to be subject to Christ, our king has returned to his rightful place, which indicates to us that the war has already been won and the kingdom of God is secure. His work on earth is finished, even though he is still at work through the church by his Spirit. Because he ascended, we can be at peace in the security of God’s victory.
Take time tomorrow to meditate on each of five truths. Let them strengthen and encourage your faith. And if you can, join us at the church at 5:30pm for a short Ascension Day Eucharist!
In the Name of our Ascended Lord!
Steven+
Walk for Life
On Saturday, May 6, we will be sponsoring the Pregnancy Resource Center’s annual Walk for Life. If you are available that morning, sign up to pick up donuts, help make coffee, work at the table at the park, or clean up afterwards. We need volunteers from 7:15-11:00am. Even if a sign-up slot is full, come anyways! We want as many people as possible to help out and enjoy the time together. Contact Tori or Katherine if you have any questions!
The PRC’s work is a great example of what I Peter 1:16 is referring to when it says that we are to be holy, because the Lord is holy. Peter is quoting Leviticus, where this phrase occurs multiple times (e.g., Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 20:26). Throughout Leviticus, God calls his people to holiness—to be unique, set apart from others, consecrated for God as his missional presence in the world—and gives specific commands that illustrate what this “set apartness” looks like. The people of God are supposed to stand out clearly as “God’s possession,” and it is in concrete actions—like sexual purity, keeping the Sabbath, economic justice, and faithful worship—that this uniqueness is practiced and seen. The actions that demonstrate this “set apart for God” status aren’t random, but instead flow from the character of God. To be holy—set apart as a living testimony to God’s nature—is to look like God in a world that oftentimes rejects him.
These commands include protecting those who are vulnerable and have no voice or power in the world. The poor, immigrants, the blind, hired hands—the examples given in Leviticus 19 make it clear that God is particularly concerned with what happens to those who get forgotten and trampled on in the societies of the world. (According to Ex. 22:22-23 and Matt. 25:31-46, this includes orphans and widows and those who are hungry, naked, or in prison.) God’s character is supposed to mark his people, which means we should stand out from others as those who care about the suffering, the vulnerable, and the powerless. In doing this, we act as God’s testimony of his own character to the world.
It is this call that the PRC is fulfilling when it seeks to protect both the unborn and young mothers and fathers. Through pregnancy tests, compassionate and objective information, mentoring, parenting classes, and other services, the PRC cares for those who are vulnerable. They are embodying holiness, because they are putting into practice the character of God in the world.
Join us as we support them!
Steven+
A Hymn to Jesus Christ
He is the icon of the God we cannot see,
The firstborn, the image-bearer, of all creation!
The true Adam, what we were supposed to be.
Yet not just man, the best part of creation,
For by him all of creation has come to be,
The things in the heavens and upon the earth,
The things we see and those we cannot,
Thrones and dominions! Rulers and authorities!
By him and for him it all came to be!
He is first of all! It all exists because of him!
And what is more—glory of glories—
He crowns the church, his body
He is her head, her leader, her fount.
He is beginning itself, before anyone else,
Before anyone else, he rose from death’s womb.
He is the heart; in beauty and strength,
In glory and love, he is the first.
To the Father, to the Spirit, to Jesus himself,
It was fitting, pleasing, beautiful—
That all things might find fullness in him.
To the Father, to the Spirit, to Jesus himself,
It was fitting, pleasing, beautiful—
That all might find a home of peace in him.
Even the ants and bees, the plants we were to have tended,
The mountains and rivers, yet still more you and me!
But this fullness, this home, the peace,
All this through him, through blood dripping down,
On a cross of shame
The things of heaven and earth, reconciled, made full.
This fullness, our home, the peace,
In his body, through blood dripping down,
On a cross of victory.
A translation of Paul’s hymn from Colossians 1:15-20