Friday, May 13, 2016
Ephesians 4:8-13 When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
WHY DID JESUS ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?
HE ASCENDED TO SEND HIS CHURCH OTHER GIFTS
Last Sunday we observed Mother's Day. I'm sure that gifts were given to both mothers and wives. It wasn't the first time, and it won't be the last. I hope we never say: "I've thanked you enough."
Jesus didn't ascend into heaven to send us just one gift. Christ our LORD by His living and dying lavished upon us the priceless gifts of the forgiveness of sins and a place in the family of God. When He ascended into heaven, He promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit to live in His people's hearts and to guide them in all truth. But that isn't the only gift he has provided us. Jesus has many times throughout the history of the Christian Church called and sent pastors and teachers to teach and equip His people.
Jesus' love for us will never run out either. He has and will continue to call and send pastors and teachers to equip His people, using His Holy Word. The goal is that the whole gathering of believers be kept strong and prepared for the Day when He returns again on the clouds of heaven. So while Jesus has taken His visible presence from us, He still blesses us by calling sinful human beings to serve us and to help us carry out His work. May God grant that we are thankful for all of His gifts.
