Sunday May 17th, 2015 Ascension Sunday Luke 24:44-53
While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. (verse 51)
The Ascension is often thought of as the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and presence. It was neither. Shortly after Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent his Spirit to indwell believers. In short, disciples of Jesus not only carry on the ministry of Jesus, they are the presence of Jesus. (How many of you have heard the children’s story in which the pastor holds a mirror up to a child’s face and asks, “Who do you see?” After several answers, the pastor will say, “Jesus.”) When I look at you and you at me, we see Jesus.
But that is not the only place we see Jesus. If you were to walk through the corridors of Kingston Penitentiary (before it closed, that is) you’d see Jesus. When you walk past the panhandler on the street, you see Jesus. When you visit the hospital, buy your groceries, greet a fellow dog walker, you see Jesus. Unlike Elvis, Jesus has not left the building.
So what do we do with all this? Only this: try our utmost to treat every person we meet-every-as if we were dealing with Jesus. Pray for forgiveness and try again. Then, truly, what a wonderful world it would be.
Lord Jesus, may I see you in everyone I meet. Amen. — DAB
Contributed by Jesus Is Here
The Ascension is often thought of as the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and presence. It was neither. Shortly after Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent his Spirit to indwell believers. In short, disciples of Jesus not only carry on the ministry of Jesus, they are the presence of Jesus. (How many of you have heard the children's story in which the pastor holds a mirror up to a child's face and asks, "Who do you see?" After several answers, the pastor will say, "Jesus.") When I look at you and you at me, we see Jesus.
But that is not the only place we see Jesus. If you were to walk through the corridors of Kingston Penitentiary (before it closed, that is) you'd see Jesus. When you walk past the panhandler on the street, you see Jesus. When you visit the hospital, buy your groceries, greet a fellow dog walker, you see Jesus. Unlike Elvis, Jesus has not left the building.
So what do we do with all this? Only this: try our utmost to treat every person we meet-every-as if we were dealing with Jesus. Pray for forgiveness and try again. Then, truly, what a wonderful world it would be.