Friday, May 11, 2018
Ephesians 4:11-12 [Jesus] is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
THE ASCENDED JESUS EQUIPS THE SAINTS
The past few years, my wife and I have been enjoying the sport of overnight backpacking. When preparing for a long hike with a big pack, you must be very particular about the size, weight, and necessity of the equipment that you bring. Do you have the right map? How much water should you bring? Do you really need the extra bag of trail mix? In order to meet all your trail needs while also avoiding any extra soreness, it’s important to be properly equipped.
As Christians, we know that our true citizenship is in heaven where we will dwell eternally after the Last Day. In mean time, we have the task of hiking up and down the mountains and valleys of this sinful life on our way to that final destination. Like any good backpacker, we need to be properly equipped. On our own, we'd never make it!
Thankfully, one of the activities of our ascended Savior is to equip the saints-- to properly load the packs of the members of his Church. Jesus has ascended far above all the heavens and it is from that position that He blesses us with his omnipresence-- filling all things. It is from heaven that He gave us the prophets, apostles, and evangelists who wrote the Old and New Testaments which act as a map for our earthly hike, guiding us in the ways of salvation and Christian living. It is from heaven that He gives us pastors (Greek for "shepherd") and teachers who proclaim to us the life-giving water of the Gospel, the truth that Christ washes away all our sin by His life and death. It is from heaven that Jesus equips us with everything that we need to spiritually and physically sustain us on our way to meet Him.
Ascended to His throne on high, Hid from our sight, yet always nigh;
He rules and reigns at God's right hand, And has all power at His command. Hallelujah!
Through Him we heirs of heaven are made; O Brother, Christ, extend Thine aid
That we may firmly trust in Thee, And through Thee live eternally. Hallelujah!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 223:2, 5)
