The final surrounding vignette in the Life of Christ icon depicts when our Lord ascended back on high. The readings – Psalm 47, Acts 1:1-11, and Luke 24:44-53 – give us the anticipated messianic enthronement hoped for, the event of the Ascension itself, and the promise of the Holy Spirit after the ascension respectively. In reflecting on this amazing event, we bask in the knowledge that Jesus is indeed in control, and shares the fruits of reign by interceding for us and granting his very Spirit to all who trust him. Let us rejoice, our Ascended Savior reigns! Good News this is indeed!
One theme that pops up in our readings today is how Christ is glorified in his people. Of course, that ties in with the larger summons to seek and serve Christ is all people – as we promised in our baptismal covenant. So we need to do our part to look for Jesus in everyone, plus show that same same Jesus to everyone.
Also, take a moment to reflect on how Jesus fulfills God’s promises in his Ascension back to heaven, both in what he does for us and what he does in us.
Tonight we celebrated the Ascension, on the eve of the feast. We commemorate the return of Christ to glory just prior to the giving of the Spirit on Pentecost. In particular, we rejoiced in how Jesus has brought our human nature into the Father’s holy presence, paving the way for our future perfection in eternity. Read, reflect, listen, and sing joyfully the hymn below-for Jesus has made our sanctification and glorification a promise in reality, not a vain hope in the imagination.
Jesus, Who Rose to Realms on High (L. Anderson, 2016 – tune #400, Hymnal 1982)
Country Parson at Large 