Continuing our reflections on the Ascension Day, today let us focus on two other related matters…
Pentecost…
“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)
The ascension of our Lord also paved the way for the fulfillment of His promise of sending the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Divine Comforter did descend on the 50th Day after the Atonement was completed. With the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Disciples, they were never the same again. In one moment, they were transformed from being timid, cowardly (did they not desert the Lord on the night of betrayal? See Mark 14:50) men into bold lions who would lay everything on the altar for the Lord. Many of them would die as Martyrs…later on.
Most importantly, the Holy Spirit brings love into our lives (Romans 5:5), which is most important propelling force for preaching the Gospel. While gifted servants of God are especially empowered by the Holy Spirit to do signs and wonders, every Christian need display the fruit of the Spirit…which begins with love!!! (Galatians 5:22-23). On preaching power-packed messages remarked a wise saint “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words only when necessary.” In everyday lives, it is a display of Christ-like love, which attracts the unbelievers to the Lord!!!
Palace…
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2)
The Lord is preparing unimaginable blessings for us in Heaven, after His ascension. Set your hearts and minds on things above…says Paul in anticipation of the Heavenly riches in Colossians 3:1-2. Honestly no eye has seen, no ear has heard nor no mind ever imagined the blessings the Lord has in store for those who love Him (I Cor 2:9).
What more here is the Lord’s promise…“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).
More than all the Heavenly rewards may our love for Him be the driving force to please Him at all times…even as the going gets really tough at times.
Prayer: Father enable us to always focus on Thyself–the Giver of the gifts–rather than the gifts, you bestow upon us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries
(To access the rest of this series, click here)