The Once-in-a-while Cuppa: Musings moving Forward
Ascension Day 1
Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
Among the festivals that the Malaysian Church celebrates, Ascension Day always seems to quietly slip by. Since it is usually on a weekday, it is swallowed up by busyness of every kind, between work and leisure, office and home, and multiple chores on every side. Yet, the Ascension of Christ remains an especially important Feast Day or festival or holy day in many mainline denominations, and for good reason: The Ascension of Christ is of vital importance to our faith and life. Over the next couple of days, I would like to explore what the Ascension of Christ means to us, and how this festival brings us strength for the present and hope for the future.
One of the first meanings of the Ascension is given in this very simple description from Mark’s gospel – Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God. When we read that phrase we may think of someone who has done a hard day’s work and finally manages to sit down with a sigh of contentment, relief, or even accomplishment. But there is more, much more, going on in this verse. Christ sat down at the right hand of God. The right hand was the position of power and favour. At feasts, the one being honoured sat at the right hand. At royal celebrations, the one with the most power or influence would sit at the right hand. Jesus was exalted to His rightful place at the right hand of God. Paul puts it in a much more descriptive way: “...and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:20 – 21). In other words, Christ IS King!
All of those forces that were set against us – sin, the world, death and Satan – have all been made powerless. Christ’s power and authority holds supreme. And, as the song goes, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow”. Because He lives (and is right now in heaven), all fear is gone. That, in itself, is enough to strengthen me for today.
A big breakthrough comes when we realize that Christ is truly in charge. No matter what twists and turns might come my way, or what dark thunderstorms cloud my path; no matter what surprises leave me agape, Christ is never taken by surprise. Moreover, He reigns. Nothing can come my way without His approval. I might not like some of the things He lets through, but I am beginning to rest not just on His wisdom, but on His goodness and love as well. But there is more.
We are now seated in the heavenly realms WITH Christ (Ephesians 2:6-7)! As Christians who share in the suffering and death of Christ, and then share in the power of His resurrection, we also share in His victory over the powers of this age. That is why Paul, at the end of Ephesians, can call on Christians to spiritual warfare against the powers of this age. It is a going into battle knowing how it will end. We do not go in as if we are fighting for our souls. We go in as victors and claim the territory back for the Kingdom.
This strengthens and emboldens me in my daily walk because I know that the powers have no hold on me. I do not have to live in fear of Satan, sin and death. I do not have to spend time looking over my shoulder wondering who is going to cast a spell or toss a charm at me or which demon is going to jump at me from behind the next bush. As Malaysians, we are especially attuned to the spiritual world around us, and many of us are aware of the many spirits and forces all around us. While we are aware, we should never be afraid – because we are NOW seated in the heavenly realms WITH Christ.
So, take heart and be strong. No matter what is waiting for us out there in the next few minutes, hours, days, months, or years – Christ has overcome. And through Him, we have overcome. All that is left for us is to mind the Lord’s work here below, for He shepherds us on high.
By
Rev. Augustin Muthusamy
Ascension Day 1
Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
Among the festivals that the Malaysian Church celebrates, Ascension Day always seems to quietly slip by. Since it is usually on a weekday, it is swallowed up by busyness of every kind, between work and leisure, office and home, and multiple chores on every side. Yet, the Ascension of Christ remains an especially important Feast Day or festival or holy day in many mainline denominations, and for good reason: The Ascension of Christ is of vital importance to our faith and life. Over the next couple of days, I would like to explore what the Ascension of Christ means to us, and how this festival brings us strength for the present and hope for the future.
One of the first meanings of the Ascension is given in this very simple description from Mark’s gospel – Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God. When we read that phrase we may think of someone who has done a hard day’s work and finally manages to sit down with a sigh of contentment, relief, or even accomplishment. But there is more, much more, going on in this verse. Christ sat down at the right hand of God. The right hand was the position of power and favour. At feasts, the one being honoured sat at the right hand. At royal celebrations, the one with the most power or influence would sit at the right hand. Jesus was exalted to His rightful place at the right hand of God. Paul puts it in a much more descriptive way: “...and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:20 – 21). In other words, Christ IS King!
All of those forces that were set against us – sin, the world, death and Satan – have all been made powerless. Christ’s power and authority holds supreme. And, as the song goes, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow”. Because He lives (and is right now in heaven), all fear is gone. That, in itself, is enough to strengthen me for today.
A big breakthrough comes when we realize that Christ is truly in charge. No matter what twists and turns might come my way, or what dark thunderstorms cloud my path; no matter what surprises leave me agape, Christ is never taken by surprise. Moreover, He reigns. Nothing can come my way without His approval. I might not like some of the things He lets through, but I am beginning to rest not just on His wisdom, but on His goodness and love as well. But there is more.
We are now seated in the heavenly realms WITH Christ (Ephesians 2:6-7)! As Christians who share in the suffering and death of Christ, and then share in the power of His resurrection, we also share in His victory over the powers of this age. That is why Paul, at the end of Ephesians, can call on Christians to spiritual warfare against the powers of this age. It is a going into battle knowing how it will end. We do not go in as if we are fighting for our souls. We go in as victors and claim the territory back for the Kingdom.
This strengthens and emboldens me in my daily walk because I know that the powers have no hold on me. I do not have to live in fear of Satan, sin and death. I do not have to spend time looking over my shoulder wondering who is going to cast a spell or toss a charm at me or which demon is going to jump at me from behind the next bush. As Malaysians, we are especially attuned to the spiritual world around us, and many of us are aware of the many spirits and forces all around us. While we are aware, we should never be afraid – because we are NOW seated in the heavenly realms WITH Christ.
So, take heart and be strong. No matter what is waiting for us out there in the next few minutes, hours, days, months, or years – Christ has overcome. And through Him, we have overcome. All that is left for us is to mind the Lord’s work here below, for He shepherds us on high.
By
Rev. Augustin Muthusamy
No comments:
Post a Comment