FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2021
(Part 22)
OUR MISSION – 12
Ascension Sunday
May 16, 2021
Today’s readings:
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47:2-9
Ephesians 1:17-23
Mark 16:15-20
Jesus had risen from the dead and fulfilled his mission. Then for forty days he wrapped up, “speaking about the kingdom of God” and “giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.” (Acts 1:3,2). He told them what was to come next, as part of their being equipped for mission. “You will be baptized with the holy Spirit.” (Acts 5). This was the final necessary ingredient. With that, the mission was a go. “You will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).
Jesus had already appeared to the apostles after his resurrection, and at that time he commissioned them. “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” (Mk 16:15). This was their most important task. This was the very reason Jesus came into the world. This would be the way by which people could appropriate for themselves the salvation he won on the cross. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mt 16:16).
Thus, after accomplishing his mission and summing everything up for his disciples, “the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.” (Mk 16:19). But Jesus will return. “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” (Acts 1:11b). In the meantime, his disciples had their work cut out for them. Again, this was the urgent work of salvation. Thus they were to waste no time. “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” (Acts 1:11a). And so “they went forth and preached everywhere” (Mk 16:20a).
As disciples, this too is our task. It is the most important work of “the Church, which is his body” (Eph 1:22b-23a). It proceeds from the resurrection and ascension, “which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens” (Eph 1:20). As such, we need to continue to pray:
- “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.” (Eph 1:17). Jesus has revealed himself to us as Savior and Lord, we have met him, we know him, and now we must be wise enough to realize the importance of the task he gives us.
- That “the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones” (Eph 1:18). Jesus has touched our hearts, renewed us in his Spirit, and illumined our minds. By this work we are tasked to do, we will realize the fullness of our hope in him, and ultimately experience the glory of our heavenly inheritance as his holy people.
- That you know “what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might” (Eph 1:19). Jesus has equipped and empowered us, and we can experience his great might as we go forth and preach everywhere, just as with the apostles, where “the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” (Mt 16:20b).
Jesus our King will return. In the meantime, we need to be about his work. By the work of his people doing worldwide evangelization, may God “put all things beneath his feet and (give) him as head over all things” (Eph 1:22). “For God is king over all the earth; sing hymns of praise. God rules over the nations” (Ps 47:8-9a).