Message Prayer from the Rector 16 May 2021

Heavenly Father we thank you for your love and forgiveness,
Lord Jesus Christ we thank you for coming to us, as one of us, to die for us.
Holy Spirit we give you thanks that you are with us until the end of time.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit we thank you and ask that you bless us. Amen

On Thursday the 13th we celebrated Ascension Day. Some people have asked me what Ascension Day is about. They understand Christmas as Jesus’ birthday and Easter when he rose from the dead, so what is Ascension Day about? After Jesus rose from the dead, He "presented Himself alive" to the women near the tomb, to His disciples and to more than 500 others. Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus and His disciples went to Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem. There, Jesus promised His followers that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit, and He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit had come. Then Jesus blessed them, and as He gave the blessing, He began to ascend into heaven. He rose from the ground gradually and visibly. As the disciples watched a cloud hid Him from their view, and two angels appeared and promised Christ’s return "in just the same way that you have watched Him go".
The Ascension of Jesus Christ is meaningful for six reasons:
1) It signalled the end of His earthly ministry. His mission was complete.
2) It marked His return to heaven.
3) It symbolized His exaltation by the Father.
4) It meant He could prepare a place for us.
5) It indicated the beginning of His new work in Heaven as our advocate.
6) It set the pattern for His return. When Jesus comes again in glory He will return just as He left.
So now, Jesus is in heaven. The Scriptures frequently picture Him at the right hand of the Father, a position of honour and authority and together with the Father, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be with us now. Blessings, Richard