15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.-Ephesians 1:15-23
Ascension Day is not one that we celebrate often or even really think about much. The Scriptures for the day are some of the most comforting words we read in the Bible, though. Jesus leaves the disciples, yes, but with words of commission, a blessing, and a promise.
The Ephesians reading is a profound word of hope for anyone who is suffering hard times or feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances.
We know that we are adopted as God’s children, as the author of Ephesians tells us in the start of his letter. In the passage quoted above, he tells us that the very power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us, empowering us in our daily lives. We lay our hope in this amazing power of God, even when we feel separated from God or abandoned.
Prayer: Christ, in you alone our hope is found. Help us, every day, to sense your presence in such a way that we will never doubt that you are with us. You surround us with your love always. May we pass that hope and love on to all around us. Amen.
God Bless You,
Pastor Anna