MAY 24, 2020 Ascension Sunday
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
This psalm has several superscriptions before the psalm begins: For the director of music, Of David, A psalm, A song
This psalm was probably sung and used in worship has part of the liturgy. It may have been a processional hymn as the congregation gathered for worship celebrating God’s journey with the Hebrew people even as they marched through the wilderness. The psalmist has some interesting ways of describing God and God’s activity among the people: Smoke blown away by the wind, wax melting before the fire, father to the fatherless, a defender of widows. God is remembered as marching with his people in the wilderness and providing for his people. In vss 32-35 the people are called to praise God who has strength and power and shares that with the people. What a great celebration of God! When have you experienced moments in worship of simply celebrating God?
John 17:1-11
In John chapter 16 Jesus has been having conversation with his disciples about his departure, their sorrow and God’s peace for them. In John 16:33 he tells them: I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. In John 17 Jesus prays for himself and then for his disciples. In Vss 1-5, Jesus prays for himself. He asks God to glorify him even has he has always been glorified. How do you understand what Jesus is asking God to do for him? Have you ever prayed to be glorified? What might you be asking God to do if you did so?
Vss. 6-11 are the prayer Jesus prays for his disciples. What do you note about what Jesus asks for his disciples? Several times Jesus tells the Father that his disciples belong to him. Why does that seem to be so important to Jesus? The last request he makes is for God to protect them. As a disciple of Jesus Christ when have you felt or claimed the protection of God?
Acts 1:1-14
The book of Acts is written by Luke, who also wrote the gospel of Luke. In the closing portion of Luke 24:50-53. Luke gives an account of the Ascension of Jesus and the response of the disciples. They were filled with joy and stayed in Jerusalem at the temple praising God. In Acts 1:1-14 Luke gives us a more expanded account of Ascension Day.
Both Acts and the Gospel of Luke are addressed to Theophilus, who may have been a patron of Luke, meaning that he gave both financial support and prestige so that Luke’s writings could be copied and distributed. He is obviously a person of great prestige. Luke, as Paul in speaking of officials, calls him Most Excellent One. Luke is also very concerned about presenting historically accurate material. Read Luke 1:1-4 to get a better sense of the mission that Luke felt himself to be about.
In Acts Luke reminds Theophilus of the story of Jesus suffering, death and resurrection and his appearances among the disciples following resurrection. He also remembers that Jesus had told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit. In contrast with this instruction in Matthew 28:10 and Mark 16:7 Jesus gives a message for the disciples to meet him in Galilee. In John 21:1 one of Jesus post resurrection appearances was on the sea of Galilee. That does not mean they cancel each other out, but according to Luke they at least came back to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit.
Obviously in Luke the disciples are anxious to see the Kingdom of God and ask if this is the time. Again, Jesus tells them that only the Father knows that time, but the most important thing for these disciples is to remember that their role is to be witnesses for Jesus. They then see his ascension and are approached by two men dressed in white (always an indication of a messenger from God in the Bible.).
I Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
One of the strong themes of I Peter is about enduring suffering. Obviously, there was suffering among the Christian people, maybe not so much torture as isolation and being ostracized. In 4:12-14, Peter speaks directly about suffering for being a Christian and suggests that instead of viewing this suffering as a punishment, to view it as a blessing because “the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” In 5:6-9 Peter gives instructions as how to conduct oneself as a disciple. How do you hear those instructions? Do any of those especially speak to you? Vs.. 10 & 11 give the promise of God if we put the previous instruction to use. When have you found the connections between, humility, casting your anxieties upon God and alertness to the tempter and God’s blessings?
Prayer: Holy God, the ascension of our Lord, sealed for his disciples his connection with you and the promise that he would come and take us to that same place. Help us to both give the best witness by our witness and life style and the joy we exhibit because we belong to you. We thank you for your protection because of the request of Jesus Christ. Help us to draw strength from that promise even when things are not going well in our lives. Amen.