Friday, May 22, 2015
Colossians 3:1-4 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
WITH UNWEARIED HEARTS ASCEND
The disciples returned to Jerusalem, just as their Master had told them to, but they surely did not forget what they had seen and heard on the Mount of Olives. Even though they were no longer gazing intently into the sky where Jesus had been taken from their sight, still as they awaited further direction from their Lord, they were seeking that direction from above.
When Peter brought up the issue of finding a replacement for Judas Iscariot, he did so guided by the words of the Psalms, words from above. And as we join those early disciples in awaiting the visible return of Jesus, we too want to set our minds on things above.
The things that are on earth -- what we shall eat, what we shall drink, what we shall wear -- are all gifts from our Father above, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. That is the greatest gift from above, and the greatest thing that we can bring to others. And even though we are not "gazing into the sky," yet in our hearts we pray that our ascended Lord would bless many others through us.
Oh, grant us thitherward to tend
And with unwearied hearts ascend
Unto Thy kingdom's throne, where Thou,
As is our faith, art seated now. Alleluia!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 212:5)
