Ascension: April 5, 2010

April 5. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY APRIL 5, 2010

ASCENSION

DEFINITION:

The bodily ascension of Christ from earth to heaven.

SCRIPTURE:

He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. Ephesians 4:10.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

It has been our prayer that this past Easter weekend has been a time of celebration for you and your family. One of the things that make Easter special for us is being with family. Together we remembered the death of Jesus and then rejoiced in His resurrection. Easter is the most significant day in the life of a Christian and a day we should all give thanks to our Lord for what He did for us.

After the resurrection of Jesus He remained on earth for 40 days to give proof that He had risen and that He was still alive. In Mark 16 we are told that three women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome) came to the tomb. And in Matthew 28 we are told that two women (Mary Magdalene and the mother of James) came to the tomb and in John 20 we read of Mary Magdalene coming to the empty tomb and after talking to the two angels turned around and saw Jesus standing in front of her.

Over the forty days He appeared to the disciples many times and also appeared to many others. In I Corinthians 15 Paul tells us that He was seen by over 500 at one time, probably when He went back to Galilee. Yes, we can be assured we serve a risen Savior who is alive. This is why Easter is such a significant day in the life of a Christian.

Today our word is ASCENSION. Forty days after the resurrection of Jesus we are told that He ascended into heaven. The scripture above from Ephesians reminds us that He who ascended into heaven is the same One that descended to this earth. This is a portrayal of Jesus being not only our deliverer but now our Mediator. Jesus is in Heaven not only preparing for us as believers a place to spend eternity with Him (John 14:1-6) but He is our Mediator between God and us.

What a day it will also be for us as believers when Jesus comes to take us to be with Him. We too will be resurrected and join our Lord and Savior in the air. Then we will begin our eternity with Him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

PRAYER:

We thank You for Your death, resurrection and ascension back to Your home in Heaven. Thank You for being my mediator between God and me. I am so excited Lord to be able to celebrate at this Easter season Your resurrection. I thank You that because of Your death and resurrection I will be spending eternity with You.