Saturday, May 19, 2012
Luke 24:50-53 And Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
IN THE TEMPLE
Is that the most exciting part of these verses: "in the temple"? It doesn't seem like after just seeing the risen Savior ascend into the heavens above that the temple would be the next place to go. But that's exactly where we are told Jesus' disciples went continually.
To Thy temple I repair; Lord, I love to worship there
When within the veil I meet Christ before the mercy-seat.
The disciples thought, by the words of the two angels that appeared to them after Jesus ascended, that He would return very soon. But in fact, they didn't know when Jesus would come again. So until then, they returned to the temple to sing God's praises for what Jesus had done for them and to recall all that was taught by Him and about Him.
I through Him am reconciled, I through Him become Thy child.
Abba, Father, give me grace In Thy courts to seek Thy face.
We may not always think returning to the "temple" (church) or opening God's Word is the most exciting thing we could do on a Sunday morning. But as we open His Word God opens to us (in His worship service) all of His promises, unfailing love, and abundant grace and mercy. Then we "see" His love, and return again with joy, praise, and blessing for our Savior! And that truly is exciting!
While Thy ministers proclaim Peace and pardon in Thy name,
Through their voice, by faith, may I Hear Thee speaking from the sky.
In the temple, in God's house, I have the joy of getting to know the One True God more and more; to grow in my relationship with Him.
From Thy house when I return, May my heart within me burn
And at evening let me say, "I have walked with God today."
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 2:1-2, 6-7)
