Thursday, May 5, 2005
Ascension Day
Luke 24:51-52 And He 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.
"HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN"
Jesus' Ascension is one of the most meaningful events in all of history. And history it is, not myth or legend. That's why Luke makes a point of naming the place where it happened -- near a village named Bethany.
There Jesus withdrew His visible presence from this earth -- just moments after He promised His believing followers: "I will be with you always."
Though unseen, never absent.
Unfettered by space and time.
Jesus of Nazareth -- Son of God and Son of Man --
is daily present with all who trust in Him.
The ascended Savior is the present Christ,
present in the very same way He was last seen -- in blessing,
providing for body and soul, for needs physical and spiritual.
He will never fail those who depend on Him.
The guarantee of this is in those up-lifted hands,
in the marks of the nails.
Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation has redeemed us by His blood.
Alleluia! not as orphans are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us, faith believes, nor questions how;
Though the cloud from sight received Him when the forty days were o'er
Shall our hearts forget His promise, "I am with you evermore"?
Alleluia! bread of heaven, Here on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful flee to You from day to day:
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, Earth's Redeemer, hear our plea,
Where the songs of all the angels sweep across the crystal sea.
