Looking back over the first four months of the year, it’s wonderful to see a sense of joy and fellowship in our congregation during the important days in our congregation and church year thus far. From the profound reflections of Lent to the joyful festivities of Easter, we have journeyed together in faith as a congregation.
Our next stop on this journey is Ascension Day, which occurs 40 days after Easter. Ascension Day holds profound theological significance, yet it often passes by without much notice. I remember attending church services on As- cension Day during my school years, but I wonder if that tradition still holds true today.
What does Jesus’ ascension mean? It’s important to understand that it doesn’t imply Jesus is physically located above us somewhere in space, nor does it im- ply his absence from our lives. Rather, Jesus’ ascension signifies his assump- tion of the role of King or Lord, as promised in Scripture (Acts 1: 9-11). It affirms that He reigns now and forevermore. When we speak of 2024 years after Christ, it is much more than saying 500 years after Luther or 30 after 1994. We live in the 2024th year of our Lord, Jesus Christ as King.
How do we know that Jesus is not just absent or far away from us in this time of His rule? We know this is our understanding of Pentecost, that the Trinity is still intimately involved in our lives and in the world. My hope is that the ex- citement and fellowship we have experienced through the church year till now continues to grow during the
time of Pentecost.
In May, we celebrate both the ascend- ing Lord, Jesus Christ, and the de- scending Lord, Holy Spirit. In this, we see how God, the Trinity, governs the visible and invisible things.
In conclusion, let us not overlook the significance of Ascension Day and Pentecost in our spiritual journey. These days remind us of the ongoing presence and reign of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in our lives. May we take these celebrations seriously, al- lowing them to deepen our faith and strengthen our fellowship as we con- tinue to journey together as a congre- gation.
Ps Schalk Treurnicht
