Ascension and Pentecost
We are over half way between celebrating the Ascension of Christ (May 29) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (June 8). I went to an Ascension service last week and was surprised when the priest started to talk about the coming of the Spirit. "Hey!" I thought, "Isn't this service about Jesus' exaltation as Lord over everything?" As in the Collect we had already prayed:
"Almighty God,
your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord." (BAS page 343)
But then the priest brought us to John 16:7
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."
So, the Ascension and Pentecost are inextricably linked. This turned my thoughts to when I first became aware of my need for the Holy Spirit in my life. Interestingly, it was right at the same time that I started to submit to the Lordship of Jesus over my life. But it wasn't in the Easter season and it wasn't through a church that followed the Church Calendar, that this all happened. It was in the fall of my first year at the University of Alberta through a Christian club called Campus Crusade for Christ. Early on in my involvement with them, a staff person named Sharon shared a little blue book with me called, "Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?" (to find it on-line, click here)
When I first asked Jesus to take His place on the throne of my life and to fill me with the Spirit, I had no sense of how my salvation and sanctification were linked to the story of Jesus life on earth. (Looking back now, how couldn't they be?!? but I wasn't thinking about that at the time. All I knew is that I wanted to quit sinning so much and to know God more.)
I share all this to encourage you in two ways:
1) Let the Church Calendar - our celebrations of Christmas and Easter, of the Ascension and Pentecost - be more than just dates in the year. They are about God and His actions that save us.
2) Jesus is Lord and He has sent the Spirit to be our Helper and Comforter. If you haven't ever thought about the Lordship of Jesus in your life or whether or not you are living a life walking in the Spirit, why don't you take time this Pentecost to talk to God and a Christian you trust about those things.
peace and grace,
Tracy
"Almighty God,
your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord." (BAS page 343)
But then the priest brought us to John 16:7
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."
So, the Ascension and Pentecost are inextricably linked. This turned my thoughts to when I first became aware of my need for the Holy Spirit in my life. Interestingly, it was right at the same time that I started to submit to the Lordship of Jesus over my life. But it wasn't in the Easter season and it wasn't through a church that followed the Church Calendar, that this all happened. It was in the fall of my first year at the University of Alberta through a Christian club called Campus Crusade for Christ. Early on in my involvement with them, a staff person named Sharon shared a little blue book with me called, "Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?" (to find it on-line, click here)
When I first asked Jesus to take His place on the throne of my life and to fill me with the Spirit, I had no sense of how my salvation and sanctification were linked to the story of Jesus life on earth. (Looking back now, how couldn't they be?!? but I wasn't thinking about that at the time. All I knew is that I wanted to quit sinning so much and to know God more.)
I share all this to encourage you in two ways:
1) Let the Church Calendar - our celebrations of Christmas and Easter, of the Ascension and Pentecost - be more than just dates in the year. They are about God and His actions that save us.
2) Jesus is Lord and He has sent the Spirit to be our Helper and Comforter. If you haven't ever thought about the Lordship of Jesus in your life or whether or not you are living a life walking in the Spirit, why don't you take time this Pentecost to talk to God and a Christian you trust about those things.
peace and grace,
Tracy
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