Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Ascension of our Lord

 
 Luke 24:36-53
Luke 24:51"While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven"
Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on the 40th day after Easter Sunday, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven according to Christian belief. 40 days after the resurrection, Jesus and his disciples went to Mount of Olives, near The Bible says Jesus promised the disciples that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit, and asked them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit had come. As he blessed them he began to ascend into heaven to take his seat at the right hand of God. The Ascension is meaningful to Christians as it signifies the end of his work on Earth and allowed him to prepare a place for followers in heaven. The ascension reminds Christians that Jesus has gone to Heaven to prepare a place for them, so they do not need to fear death. As Jesus is no longer restricted by time, he is always with them.

Four reasons why the Ascension of Jesus Christ matters to our faith:
First, the ascension of Jesus Christ demonstrates the earthly work necessary for our salvation is finished. The ascension of Christ has drawn that work to a close. All that was needed for Christ to rescue, ransom, and redeem mankind has been accomplished. There’s nothing more Jesus needs to do to make us the sons and daughters of God.
A second reason the ascension of Christ is important is found in His present work. According to the Scriptures, Christ is our advocate, our mediator, and our high priest. 1 John 2:1 says: “We have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.”
It’s Jesus Christ who pleads our case when Satan attempts to prosecute us before God for the sins we’ve committed. Christ, as our advocate, mediator, and high priest pleads our case before God. The case He presents His Father doesn’t rest on our successes or fall apart because of our failures. Instead, the case Christ presents is based on His perfect life and His shed blood. Christ, our advocate, has never lost a case.
Third, the ascension of Jesus Christ means the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is within us. On two occasions, Jesus prepared His followers for the coming of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16 He tells them, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.”
The Spirit of God indwells us and is with us forever. As our helper, He guides us into all truth (John 16:13). This permanent and guiding helper, this Spirit of God, indwells every believer. Without the ascension of Christ, there’s no indwelling Spirit inside of us.
Fourth, There is a promise of a home awaiting us. It’s this result of the ascension that provides believers with peace about what lies beyond this life. The ascension of Christ points us to where we’ll spend eternity. We’ll spend it with Christ in heaven.

Ascension Day celebrates Christ's exaltation. While on earth, He was a servant. Now in heaven, He is the ruler and Lord of all. By entering heaven as the representative of mankind, He completed the work of our salvation and guarantees the eventual glorification of all who love Him. When feeling weak in ourselves, Luke reminds us that the exalted Christ has given us his Spirit, who equips us with the power, boldness, and courage we need to accomplish our mission. This is the great hope of all Christians. For just as Jesus went into heaven, so will all Christians. Those who are dead will rise first; those who are living will be caught up to meet Him in the air, according to Paul, writing to the church at Thessalonica. With this hope in mind, let us be faithful Christians waiting and on the watch for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . Amen Come, Lord Jesus."
 
Prayer
"Thank you, Lord Jesus, that by your death on the Cross, resurrection, and ascension, we now have a place in Heaven and a relationship with Father God. Amen "

Thought for the day:
"The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray. - Aiden Wilson Tozer

Anila Eapen

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