Post by Woody Williams on May 13, 2010 5:29:14 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Luke 24:44-53
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Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I
was still with you — that everything written about me in the law of
Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he
opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them,
"Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from
the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of
sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from
Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending
upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you
have been clothed with power from on high."
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he
blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and
was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to
Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple
blessing God.
Devotional
----------
Today is Ascension Day. It marks the leaving of Jesus to return to
the Father. It begins a waiting period for the disciples. Jesus had
warned his disciples that he would be leaving. Luke describes this
time (Ascension) as a teaching period. Before he leaves Jesus
underlines the focus of his ministry and his life purpose. He then
points them to the future and the ministry they will be performing in
his name. They are cautioned to wait for the empowering of the Holy
Spirit before undertaking this mission. Jesus set up a model for the
church. We are to carry out the mission.
Prayer
----------
Bless the mission of your church, Lord. Amen
----------
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I
was still with you — that everything written about me in the law of
Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he
opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them,
"Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from
the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of
sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from
Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending
upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you
have been clothed with power from on high."
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he
blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and
was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to
Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple
blessing God.
Devotional
----------
Today is Ascension Day. It marks the leaving of Jesus to return to
the Father. It begins a waiting period for the disciples. Jesus had
warned his disciples that he would be leaving. Luke describes this
time (Ascension) as a teaching period. Before he leaves Jesus
underlines the focus of his ministry and his life purpose. He then
points them to the future and the ministry they will be performing in
his name. They are cautioned to wait for the empowering of the Holy
Spirit before undertaking this mission. Jesus set up a model for the
church. We are to carry out the mission.
Prayer
----------
Bless the mission of your church, Lord. Amen