Ascension Day Devotion (part 2)

The Ascension of Jesus celebrates both the forgiveness through and the victory of Christ.

Caiaphas, the high priest, king Herod and the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate thought of themselves as very important and powerful people.  But these religious and political leaders are now only remembered because they arrogantly denied and persecuted Christ Jesus.  Little did they know that they were condemning to death the Creator, the Giver of life and the eternal Judge before whom each one of us must stand.  How could Caesar Augustus, who issued the decree that a census should be taken when Jesus was born, have realised at the time that a Baby born to lowly subjects in far away Judea, would one day judge him as King of all.

Ps 110: 1 reads: “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’”

The Ascension proclaims the ultimate victory of Christ. Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Head of the Church.  Whoever refuses to bow before Christ as only Saviour today, while grace and forgiveness are still freely available, will one day have to bow before Christ as the eternal Judge, and without his forgiveness, will be lost forever!

The prophecy in Ps 110 verses 5 and 6 proclaims: “He will crush kings on the Day of his wrath. He will judge the nations....”

The Ascension of Jesus Christ comforts all believers amidst their struggles and especially those who suffer persecution. But the Bible says, “Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has gone through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the Faith we profess.” Hebrews 4:14.

We have an Advocate in Heaven. He hears our prayers. He intercedes for us. He will come again. He will defeat every authority that refused to bow before him and obey him.  We will not fear governments, despots or financial tyrants.  We will not bow before idols and never compromise the essential truth of our Faith.  We will not deny and not betray Jesus.

Through the work of his Holy Spirit, Jesus is with us always.  “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” 1 Corinthians 15:25.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”  Philippians 2:9-11.

May the Lord bless, keep and sustain you and grant you a blessed Ascension Day and empowering Pentecost!