The Feast
Day of the Lord’s Ascension
1 John 5:9-15—Everything we do in life all boils down to faith.
Faith is simply another word for “trust.” Trust simply means to take God at His
Word. Note and give special attention to verse 10 which is critical. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has
this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out
to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony god has given about His
Son.
This is the same thing the Savior said to Nicodemus
who came to visit the Savior at night. Read John 3:15-18. See how clearly that
this universal truth is woven throughout the Scripture and that the Scriptures
interpret themselves namely that each passage explains the other more clearly.
Forty different men over a period of some 1,500 years wrote 66 books that in
reality make up one book. These books have one doctrinal viewpoint, one moral
standard, one plan of salvation, one program for the ages.
Today is Ascension Day – today we remember – that the
resurrected Jesus was taken up to heaven. In His resurrected body. In the
presence of eleven of His disciples. Forty days after the resurrection.
The Ascension is one of the chief festivals of the
Church Year. The Ascension is one of the six major milestones in the life of
Jesus – His birth. His Baptism. His Transfiguration. His crucifixion. His
resurrection.
The Ascension is a big day. The Ascension is professed
in both the Nicene and Apostles’ Creed. The Ascension teaches that Jesus
humanity was taken into heaven. The same Jesus who with the same body in which
He suffered went into heaven. He will return. In the same way. On the last great day. To judge men and
angels at the end of the world.
Jesus might be visibly gone. Still He is physically
present. He remembers us. As He feeds us
with His Word and Sacrament. He also intercedes for you. On your behalf.
Standing next to you. He calls out to the Father. To bless and protect
you.
Prayers for Ascension: Almighty God, as Your only begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in
heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.
[1] Image of the Ascension of Christ by Salvador Dail, copyright © Google images
[2] Collects for the Ascension of our Lord, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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