The Scripture readings for this Sunday – when we celebrate Ascension Day – are Acts 1:1-11 and Ephesians 1:15-23.
Acts 1:7-9 – “He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid them from their sight.”
Ephesians 1:18-21 – “I pray that your eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
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So often we celebrate Christ’s ascension merely as a historical event; the day when Jesus Christ was raised by the power of God from this earth into the heavenly realms. “Praise God!” we say, “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.” And celebrating the event of Christ’s ascension is a very, very good thing.
But what if there’s more to Ascension Day than the event itself? What if, as Paul teaches, Christ’s ascension reveals something more about God, something more to us and for us? What if this revelation of God’s power in Christ’s resurrection and ascension also reveals to us the power that is at work in us, in our church, and in the church worldwide? What if the very same power that not only raised Christ from the dead but also raised him from earth into the heavenly realms was at work in us? What if that great powerwas available to us?
It’s not, however, a question of “What if?” Paul teaches us that the very same power that raised Christ from the dead and into the heavenly realms is at work for us, in us, and through us. This is a fact – and a glorious one at that. This power gathers us into the body of Christ along with all of God’s people. This power gathers us into the fullness of Christ who is all in all. Not only is He the head of the church but also of the entire cosmos. This is the very same power at work in us every day. (That’s a lot of power!)
It kind of makes you wonder why we, at times, allow ourselves to feel so powerless as Christians ...
As we celebrate Ascension Day this Sunday I invite you to reflect on that power. Where in your life do you need to experience that power? Where do you resist it? Where is it that you already sense that mighty power? Where is it in our church, in the worldwide church, that we need to experience that power? …
I invite you to give thanks, wonder, and pray knowing that this power is available to all who believe.