CELEBRATING ASCENSION

Today Christians throughout the world are celebrating Christ's ascension into heaven, which occurred 40 days after His resurrection. Churches used to hold worship services on Ascension Day, but not so much anymore. When I returned to Norfolk in 1997, prior to Lois' & our kids return, I attended a circuit Ascension service at Christ Lutheran. At the conclusion of the service, we proceeded outside & released balloons, signifying Jesus' ascending into heaven. [Releasing balloons on Ascension is not commanded by Scripture, in case you were wondering.]

A DISPLAY OF POWER

"He was lifted up, & a cloud took Him out of their sight." (Acts 1:9) And so, the ascension of Jesus to heaven is not an end to His ministry but a display of His power, authority, & majesty. The ascension of Jesus to the right hand of power was to show that the time of Jesus' humiliation was over. No more suffering, dying, & agonizing cross for Jesus! His ascension shows us that He is above all. He is not like other kings. He has ascended higher than any other king has ever ascended. Jesus & the kingdom of heaven are not like us & not like this world. They are free from the limitations & sins of this world, & they will last forever--& that is a very good thing!" Matthew Richard, Minute Messages

THE JOY OF ASCENSION

"Christ's ascension marks the transition from His earthly presence to His session at the right hand of God .  . In a much greater way, our Lord Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the throne of God, & from this position of power directs all things for the good of His Bride, the church. The church fittingly celebrates this event with all joy. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who retains our flesh & blood, sits at the right hand of the throne of God & directs all things for our good." Roy Askins, The Lutheran Witness, May 2020

PRAYERS FOR ASCENSION

From the Lutheran Prayer Book

"Lord Jesus, who on the day of Your ascension withdrew Your visible body from the eyes of Your disciples, yet promised to be with them always unto the end of the world, make Your presence felt among us as we gather in Your name & around Your holy Word & Sacraments. Let these means of grace be not only Your enduring & comforting presence but also a strengthening of my faith throughout my life & to the very end of days. Remove from my heart & life the . uncertainties & the doubt, the questioning & the fears brought on by the woes & chaos of the world. Strengthen my faith, that I may confidently trust Your power to save & to rule.Enable me to trust that You direct all things for good to Your Church, into which You have called me--a sheep under Your care. Above all, fill my heart with longing for that heavenly home to which You have gone to prepare a place for me, & give me a strong desire & watchful readiness for the day when I shall see You coming again to take me & all the Church into Your mansions above. In Your name I ask it. Amen."

From My Prayer Book *

* I received this prayer book as a confirmation present from my pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Concordia, MO.

"Lord Jesus Christ, who was delivered unto death for my offenses, raised again for my justification, & crowned in glory at Your ascension, I praise You for having finished the work given You by Your Father for my redemption & my coronation. As once Your disciples gazed steadfastly into heaven as You ascended on high, lift my eyes heavenward & set my affections on the eternal treasures reserved there for me. You have ascended on high & have led captivity captive; I pray You to take fuller possession of my soul, my life, my all, so that I may look constantly to You as the end & aim of my life.

"Strengthen in me the longing for fulfillment of Your promise:  'Where I am, there shall My servant be also.' Keep me in the true faith, so that I may always be prepared for Your second coming & return to Judgment, ready to meet You in the clouds of heaven when You return in glory to take me to Your glory.

"Let Your ascension strengthen me in the assurance of my ascension on high, & lift me above the cares & worries of this life. Until You return, give me the grace & joy for knowing that You rule all things for the ultimate well-being of Your dear children. Grant me the cheerful readiness to submit myself to Your mighty protection & loving direction, & help me daily to crown You as my Lord by a life of holy obedience to Your will. Amen."

A HYMN FOR ASCENSION

A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (LSB #493, Sts. 1 & 6)

A hymn of glory let us sing! New hymns throughout the world shall ring:  Alleluia, alleluia! Christ, by a road before untrod, Ascends unto the throne of God. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

O risen Christ, ascended Lord, All praise to You let earth accord:  Alleluia, alleluia! You are, while endless ages run, With Father & with Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

A PERSONAL NOTE:  This is probably my favorite Ascension hymn. When I put together the first graduation service at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, NE, I chose this as the processional hymn. I did this for two reasons. I wanted graduation to take place within the context of a worship service. And I wanted to distinguish us as a Christian high school, not a public high school, so I chose not to use "Pomp & Circumstance."