5-15-23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditional liturgical formations in worship are not universally followed these days. Their separate parts once represented the essential aspects of Christ\u2019s ministry and significance, just as His life on earth was comprised of separate, meaningful acts. That is, lessons for us, to understand Him better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Mary conceived, it was the fulfillment of many prophecies. When Jesus was born, it was the long-hoped Incarnation, God in human form. When He preached, He explained the ways of God. When He healed, it showed the power of God. When He forgave people \u2013 how presumptuous, except as the Son of God \u2013 He shared the love of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Jesus gave Himself up, He became the sacrifice for the penalties our sins should be ours to pay. When He was betrayed, He understood our sorrows. When He was tortured and He suffered, He understood our pains. When He died on the cross, He fulfilled His mission \u2013 \u201cIt is finished.\u201d When He arose, it represented the promise that we too may overcome physical death and have life eternal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditional church services similarly would focus on aspects \u2013 for instance, the \u201cAgnus Dei,\u201d the \u201cLamb of God\u201d to remind us of the sacrifice of this Sinless Man. And so forth. Losing this structured reminder of the Savior’s ministry is a down-side of contemporary, free-form worship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I invite you to see the life of Christ, even for only a moment, in perhaps a different light than you are used to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of the familiar events in Jesus\u2019s life, even the uncountable prophesies fulfilled, even the powerful miracles, suggest that He was the Son of God. Suggest? Only suggest<\/em>? <\/em>Is this blasphemy? No\u2026 stick with me. Of course we know the prophesies, the signs, the wonders, represented His anointing. Of course we know and respect His claims. Of course we know the confirmations that He rose from the dead; let us remember that so did Lazarus and the daughter of Jairus; and they are not regarded as Saviors of humankind. \u201cYou will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about me everywhere \u2013 in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.\u201d And after saying this, Jesus was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him. As they strained to see Him rising into Heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. They said, \u201cWhy are you standing here staring into Heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into Heaven, but some day He will return from Heaven in the same way you saw Him go!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This account is from The Acts of the Apostles<\/em>, the very first chapter; the history of the Early Church. This<\/em> was the confirmation \u2013 the final puzzle-piece, if I may \u2013 that Jesus was not only a teacher or a healer or a prophet; not merely a persecuted good man; not just one of history\u2019s misunderstood and saintly persons. He was physically lifted to Heaven\u2026 reunited with His Heavenly Father\u2026 promising us that He will live in our hearts in the Person of the Holy Spirit of God. The heroes of faith of the Old Testament appeared at the scene to seal the event, and His promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bodily Ascension of Jesus confirmed that He was indeed the Son of God. Messiah. God-with-us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That act, Ascension, which is celebrated this week \u2013 40 days after Easter \u2013 as well as the promise Jesus made, the Gift of the Holy Spirit (on Pentecost, soon to come) should not be forgotten by the church, or by His followers. For centuries, in fact, the Ascension Of Our Lord virtually was the most important observance-day in the church year. In some countries (do Americans know this fact?) it is still observed as a public holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sobering challenge we face in the 21st<\/sup> century is not whether we identify as Christians. It is not how we justify our social views based on what we think the Church says (or used to say). It is not whether Christian traditions \u201cinform\u201d our life choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is whether we believe Jesus is Lord. One with the Father, Creator God, Lord of all creation. If you don\u2019t\u2026 stop playing around; be honest; and go over to the other side. If you do<\/em> believe Jesus is God, has saved your soul, and will return again in Glory\u2026 act like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.\u201d <\/em>These words of Jesus (Revelation 3:15,16) are what He will say when He returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you \u201cstanding here,\u201d even \u201clooking up to Heaven\u201d? + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I am asking us to remember is the half-forgotten holiday of the church calendar, Ascension Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He ascended. Now it is our turn, our time, to do His will on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n