The ascension of our Lord
Published 9:13 am Friday, April 27, 2012
Across the Pastor’s Desk
By the Rev. Jim Rushton, First Lutheran Church in Glenville
I’m writing this article a few weeks in advance of the day we celebrate our Lord’s ascension: May 17.
I wish those responsible for setting up our festivals would move this central celebration to a Sunday for the sake of this great moment in the life of the church’s salvation history.
After all, the ascension is considered, along with Easter and Good Friday, to be among the three high festival days of the church.
One of the wonderful realities that mark this day is now that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father in heaven, he is able to be everywhere his people are and no longer confined to any particular time or place.
The ascension also lifts up for us two other matters of our faith. It signals the completion of Jesus’ earthly ministry as he walked among us, and declares the promise of his future return on the last day as our heavenly Father brings all his chosen into the fullness of his kingdom forever.
The ascension says that our Lord Jesus has not abandoned us. Instead, he lifts his hands upon us in constant blessing.
We know that living is bigger than we are. And when challenging moments come our way, we take heart in believing that Jesus still bears the burdens of all of us who call upon his name this day, and helps us on our way day to day.