“And so after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken into Heaven and sat down on the right hand of God. ” (Mark 16:19-20)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. What a difference forty days makes! On Easter morning, St. Mark recorded that the women fled from the empty tomb telling nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Forty days later on Ascension Day, everything changes! rom now on no matter what we face, God never abandons us, never leaves us alone. Jesus has sent His men to preach His good news to all creation. He has put His name on us at Holy Baptism, promising that whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved. He has reclined with us at Table, feeding us His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of all our sins.
God won’t abandon us. How do you know? Jesus was taken into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God.
How often does the Ascension Gospel get bumped from your mind? How often do other things take over and leave you sad, mopey, and despairing? Does God love me? Does He forgive even me with all my sins? Why doesn’t anyone else understand me? Why is it that I just don’t fit in?
Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. Don’t despair anymore! Whatever else is true about you and God, this is the most sure: the One Who died on the Cross, Who rose on Easter morning, now sits at the right hand of God for you. Everything that God does, He does through His Right Hand for your good. Jesus is there for you: your friend, your advocate, your high priest, and your Savior.
With Jesus at the right hand of the Father, there is no power, no event, no authority in heaven, on earth, anywhere, that can lay back on you the sins you have committed, so that you need to despair ever again.
How is God toward me? He ascended to the right hand of my Heavenly Father. What a difference forty days makes! In the name of Jesus. Amen.
“A Hymn of glory let us sing: New songs throughout the world shall ring: Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ, by a road before untrod, Ascendeth to the throne of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!” (TLH 192, 1)
Higher Things Reflections are written by Rev. George F. Borghardt III, Assistant Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX.