Pastor’s Corner“ Ascension & Mission”

This past Sunday I mentioned how in the coming resurrection the Lord will renew communities “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 5:9; 7:9-10). In the new Jerusalem, the water of life that flows from under God’s throne is bordered by the tree of life, and “the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). Jesus is not waiting until the last day to offer that water and those leaves – the healing of the nations has already begun.

When Jesus ascends into heaven – an event we commemorate on the sixth Thursday after Easter – he sits down on the throne at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2). This actually is the culmination of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the moment that he is enthroned as God’s king over all the earth. The words of the Christmas hymn “Joy to the World” capture the healing that flows as he begins to rule “with truth and grace”:

No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

The primary instrument of extending his rule is his Spirit-empowered church. That’s why, moments before his ascension, Jesus answers his apostles’ question about the restoration of the kingdom with these words: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The Ascension is not Jesus retreating from the world. It is Jesus taking his seat of authority for the sake of all nations. From this heavenly throne, he intercedes for their forgiveness, and pours out the Holy Spirit to empower his people to continue this kingdom movement (Acts 2:32-33).

We are among those people empowered to continue this movement that brings healing to the nations. You saw one example last week in Catherine Annand and her upcoming mission trip to Uganda (read below for more). You’ll see another example this week as Pastor Sallie speaks about joining Jesus’ kingdom movement in Bali (again, read below for more).

All of us, of course, are a part of this movement. It’s why every week we end our services turning to follow the cross as it leads us into the world, to “go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!”

Your Pastor in Christ,