On the 1st of this month, we celebrated our Lord’s Ascension. Before Christ’s ascension into heaven He tells his disciples:
28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."
This is also called the Great Commission. So, why do I bring this up, besides the fact that this Bible passage is read during this period? Well, tonight I was reading my prayers online and came across a story that really got me thinking about the charge we are left with. Christ fulfilled his earthly ministry and left us with a mission. Here’s the story: A man went out on a starry night and shook his fist at the heavens yelling, "Oh, God, what a lousy, rotten world you’ve made. I could have done much better." Then a voice boomed from the clouds saying, "That’s why I put you there. Get busy." Ascension is the time when Jesus puts us in charge of his mission and of his work, promising to be always with us. With this, I want to remind myself that the Day of Ascension is not just another church feast, it’s not just a day to follow some traditions, but really, it’s a day to listen to the words of Jesus and get to work! So, through our prayers let us ask and find out where each of us can work in this world. |