Ascension Lord's Day Sunday

On this Lord’s Day Sunday, many believers will be celebrating Ascension Sunday in different ways. On this day of remembrance, we come with hearts and minds ready to receive a time of remembering, as we are drawn to a few places where we will always remember and believe by faith, in the Ascension of our Lord.

Let me hasten to admit that I know about our Lord’s Ascension back into heaven, but I never ever gave much significance to it in my life. What I mean is that in the Church family to which I belong, this was never ever given the emphasis as our Lord’s Crucifixion or Resurrection were, for example. Only in my later days, His Ascension has become so significant to me, that I have been totally mesmerized and humbled by what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ did and continues to do for us.

Think about this one fact, even. What if there was only our Lord’s Crucifixion and Resurrection? What if Jesus, in His Resurrected Body, kept with His disciples, not for forty days, but for all the time, not returning home – Home to His Father in Heaven – the place from which He came? Simply, what if He did not return in that Body? Yes, you cringe like me and become very much afraid, for to think of such a thing is pure hell - no hope, no continuity, no victory over the already defeated Satan.

O No! If there was no Ascension, how could Jesus come again to judge the quick and the dead? How could God the Holy Spirit come to us in Jesus’ Baptism? How? How? How? Many, many How’s! Thanks be to God! We who believe by faith, have none of those lingering with us.

The following are the two main references which we know, highlight the Ascension of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Our first reference is the Apostles' Creed which many, if not all of us, had to learn from an early age. In our time, it was mandatory that this be taught in schools as the Lord’s Prayer was. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty. Whenever we say these words we give further acknowledgement to the Ascension of our Risen Lord. By faith we believe.

Our other reference comes from another creed, the Nicene Creed, which also states, giving more evidence to the fact of Jesus’ Ascension. He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father. As this creed is faithfully chanted, recited and confessed by many Christian believers, among many other faith-based facts, the Ascension of Jesus is paramount. By faith we believe.

This is such a unique and solemn time, it deserves an offering of its own, don’t you agree? In holy expectation, we wait, in the will of Father God, to receive personal ascension in Spirit and Truth.

Holy Spirit, You who are our Counsellor, our Comforter, our Guard against all folly and our only Teacher and Guide to the things of Jesus, thank You for including us. Thank You that You have not become fed-up with us and that Your love and patience cover us, helping and healing all who will turn back to You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

We come tomorrow, fully prepared to be bathed, cleansed and filled with ascending words of truth, which we can only receive and know by faith.