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"I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you" (John 16:7).
"You have come to the place of entire reliance on the resurrection life of Jesus which brings you into perfect contact with the purpose of God. Are you living that life now? If not, why shouldn’t you?" (Oswald Chambers).
Our church and holiday calendars focus our attention on the birth and resurrection of our Lord. His death is the centerpiece of our theology. And rightly so. After all, someone free from sin had to die for us to be close to God again. But outside of the circles of those who grew up in the church, not much spotlight is placed on the Lord’s Ascension. If you don’t believe me, just try to make a brunch or dinner reservation on the Thursday forty days after Easter — no problem.
My point is not to take away from any other celebration. And perhaps I’m just now grasping what my spiritually mature brothers and sisters have long known — the Ascension of Jesus is no less critical in our lives than His birth, death, or resurrection. The words of Jesus make this plainly clear in John, chapter 16.
With His Ascension, the promise of the Trinity is fulfilled: the Son goes to be with the Father, and the Holy Spirit comes down to us (John 16; John 14). God’s Spirit brings us His Truth and Peace, and this is where our soul can rest (John 14:17; John 14:27). With that rest is hope; faith brings assurance to our hope that God will accomplish His will in all things (Hebrews 11:1). God will turn all that is meant for evil by others into good (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20). Our rest is in the faith that Jesus has ascended to establish forever our perfect contact with God. Already, not yet. For now, your purpose doesn’t stop with the Lord’s Ascension.
We must remember that without the Holy Spirit, we have nothing. Our minds don’t know Truth, and our hearts feel no Peace. Our souls are far from rest. So, thank you, Jesus, for sending the Helper to dwell inside of us. Arise today to answer the call to do more with this power. Arise equipped with the Lord’s meekness to battle whatever difficulties lie ahead. With purpose in your heart, place Jesus’ prayer on your tongue: “Father, glorify Your name” (John 12:28).
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