Ascension Day: Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Nicene Creed. [Sunrise May 9 2013]

Ascension Day: Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Nicene Creed. [Sunrise May 9 2013]

Day 39  He ascended into heaven

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11 (NIV)

Today is Thursday, Ascension Day, commemorating the day Christ rose into heaven. It is 40 days after Resurrection Sunday, and 10 days before Pentecost Sunday.  Very few churches observe the Ascension, a fact lamented as “a great pity” by Robert Webber in Ancient-Future Time (p. 158)

The work of Jesus continues through his church, resurrection people empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is present with his followers when they meet in His name.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

Jesus is actively involved in our part of carrying out the Great Commission. He is positioned at the highest place of authority, the right hand of God the Father – clearing the way, helping us problem solve, and providing divine intervention on our behalf.

25 Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them. Hebrews 7:25 (AMP)

One chapter has concluded. Another has just begun. The Ascension marks a closure to be celebrated with awe and wonder.

Lord I Lift Your Name On High

Lord I lift Your name on high
Lord I love to sing Your praises
I’m so glad You’re in my life
I’m so glad You came to save us

You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high

Rick Founds © 1989 Maranatha Praise, Inc. (Admin. by Maranatha! Music) CCLI Song # 117947

Let’s Pray:

I invite you to pray with me.

Lord I lift Your name on high. I am so glad you are in my life! Help me to be an ambassador for Christ today, in some small way.  For the glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

—Episcopal Church Book of Common Prayer (1979), The Book of Common Prayer.

About This Devotional Series

According to the historical church calendar, the Easter season is the 50 day period from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.  I’ll post a fresh devotional thought with my sunrise photo of that morning, everyday through Pentecost, commenting as the Spirit inspires. Check out the rest of the series here.

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