Dear Friends - Happy Ascension Day!
As Helen and myself are gearing ourselves up for the emotional waving off our eldest in a couple of weeks, as she embarks on her South American adventure (if you’re interested check out her page) I’m always struck by the accounts of Jesus’ departure from his disciples at his ascension. This occasion, with no hope of seeing Jesus until a reunion in heaven, is recorded as one of great joy and not (as I would have assumed) sadness. Luke’s account in chapter 24, closes with the words:
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Indeed this experience the disciples shared, was clearly the ultimate validation that God was in charge, and rather than be separated from Jesus, the whole earth could now connect with him. As a former Bishop of Manchester eloquently describes it:
The Ascension of Christ is his liberation from all restrictions of time and space. It does not represent his removal from earth, but his constant presence everywhere on earth.
William Temple
So may we at this ascension-tide, equally rejoice that we have direct access to God our Father through Jesus, wherever on the earth we may be, and perhaps out of our joy, commit to to pray for others who we know, who as yet don’t hold this hope. Do please consider using the helpful resources of Thy Kingdom Come, between now and Pentecost Sunday.
Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
Simon
As Helen and myself are gearing ourselves up for the emotional waving off our eldest in a couple of weeks, as she embarks on her South American adventure (if you’re interested check out her page) I’m always struck by the accounts of Jesus’ departure from his disciples at his ascension. This occasion, with no hope of seeing Jesus until a reunion in heaven, is recorded as one of great joy and not (as I would have assumed) sadness. Luke’s account in chapter 24, closes with the words:
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Indeed this experience the disciples shared, was clearly the ultimate validation that God was in charge, and rather than be separated from Jesus, the whole earth could now connect with him. As a former Bishop of Manchester eloquently describes it:
The Ascension of Christ is his liberation from all restrictions of time and space. It does not represent his removal from earth, but his constant presence everywhere on earth.
William Temple
So may we at this ascension-tide, equally rejoice that we have direct access to God our Father through Jesus, wherever on the earth we may be, and perhaps out of our joy, commit to to pray for others who we know, who as yet don’t hold this hope. Do please consider using the helpful resources of Thy Kingdom Come, between now and Pentecost Sunday.
Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
Simon
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