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May 30, 2019 Ascension of the Lord
“15 ¶ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:15-23 NKJV)

Why did Jesus ascend? There are so many ways Jesus could have chosen to go to be the Father. So why Ascension? There must be a reason Jesus chose to ascend rather than any other way. Here are some possibilities from this passage.

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
Jesus ascends our wisdom, knowledge and understanding. In the Ascension we see the promise we will ascend to God!

that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
God ascends our view from our low view of this world and life! Jesus ascends our view of life and creation as we see the connection between Heaven and Earth.

20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
The Ascension of Jesus and His position at the right hand of the Father is the seed of hope which grows to the tree of faith producing the fruit if love which offers the seed of hope to others.

21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Our view of might and power ascend to realize no world leader or weapon are nothing in comparison to the might and power of God. Those who ridicule God, work against God and seek to turn others from God cannot stand before the power of God. They are already defeated! They already lost!!! We do not need to fear them.

The ascension reminds us that in a world of death and despair in Jesus we have hope and life! Be not afraid for God loves you and has already defeated His and therefore your enemies.

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