Crown him with many crowns

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later and in his name the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’ (verses 45-48)

Read Luke 24:44-53

When Jesus returned to heaven, many saw it as the end. In reality, however, it was the beginning. If he had remained on earth after his resurrection, his mission would have been limited both in time and place. But, because of his ascension, the sky was the limit.

Once the Holy Spirit had come, as promised, formerly timid men began to spread the good news through the then-known world. Then other generations followed, and others followed them, until finally the good news of all Jesus is and has done has come to us.

We are now the ones who stand at the risen Lord’s feet and hear him give us the same instructions. We, too, are to take the good news to the nations, beginning in Sydney, or Perth, or Upper Moutere. We can only do so because faithful people carried out their allotted task. It is up to us to see that the next generation can do the same, so that they can pass it on to people who follow them.

So Jesus’ ascension, followed quickly by Pentecost, is certainly not the end. As we move towards a new millennium, Jesus’ ascension still passes its good news to those yet to come.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for the privilege you give me to be your witness. May I always be a faithful one. Amen.

by Robert Turnbull, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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