While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:51).

Read Luke 24:44-53

Today is Ascension Day! We celebrate Jesus being taken up to heaven. Luke is the only one who records this event for us, and he was so taken by it that he recorded it not once, but twice – it is the final story of his gospel account and the very first story of his other New Testament writing, the Book of Acts (1:4-9). If we put these two accounts together, our last impression of Jesus on this earth is that of him saying ‘You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth’, while blessing his followers. Talk about going out with a bang! The first impression Jesus made on the world was so impactful that we are still celebrating it year in and year out: his arrival was marked by a bright star and angels appeared to unassuming shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. His last impression on this earth left his disciples joyfully worshipping and praising God, while two angels appeared and foretold the next coming of our Lord. Through Jesus, God has made a lasting impression on this world: redemption, restoration, renewal. Jesus left to make way for the Holy Spirit to come and settle in each of our hearts. Jesus resided with God’s people, and the Holy Spirit resides within God’s people. Ascension Day is the fulfilment of Jesus telling his disciples (John 16:7): ‘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.’ Through his Holy Spirit, God is not only constantly with us, as Jesus was with his disciples, but in fact within us. Jesus departed this earth with a blessing – and now we are blessed to be a blessing, so the next generation can be a blessing, and then the next, until our Jesus comes again in all his glory.

Can you make today a day on which you pray God’s blessings over all the people who cross your path?

Ascended Lord Jesus, we stand in awe of you as we see you lifted up on the clouds to take your place at the right hand of the Father. Thank you for pouring out your blessings on us. Help us to bless those we love and those who are giving us a hard time, too. Make us ready for your return. Amen.

by Maria Rudolph

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea – the Lord on high is mighty (Psalm 93:4).

Read Psalm 93

For the people in the days of Jesus and even in Old Testament times, big bodies of water held a connection to the dark and demonic. Unknown creatures, unforeseen forces of nature and weather and the unfathomable depths of the sea contributed to this. But God is Lord over all forces and chaos and puts light and order into the dark and demonic. Some psalms talk about a great sea monster, Leviathan, lurking in the deep (Psalm 74:13,14; Psalm 104:26), yet the Lord God is mightier and stronger than this perceived threat. When Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee with his disciples in the boat, his rebuke of the winds and the waves not only calms the storm and settles the nerves of those with him; Jesus displays his power over the demonic forces of darkness in a similar way to when he is driving out demons. Our God is mightier than anything. The surging waves, the thundering wind and even the demonic forces of hell bow to his sovereignty. For us, as followers of Jesus, to know that Jesus is in the boat of life with us and calms the storms swirling all around is comforting to the highest degree – we know Jesus as our gracious, compassionate and loving Servant King, and also as our mighty and sovereign Lord and King over all things. Jesus is truly our stronghold and our fortress. When we stay close to him, we have nothing to fear.

What unsettles you or makes you anxious at the moment? Hand it over to your God, who is mightier than anything.

Almighty and powerful God, you are the creator of all things great and small. You are sovereign over the whole world, and yet you also know me and care for me day in and day out. Your ways are too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Take all that fills me with fear and anxiety at this moment. I hand it all over to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice (Luke 17:15).

Read Luke 17:11–19

My daughter came home from school with glowing eyes. ‘Mum, I had a real God moment today!’ I was astonished. ‘What happened?’, I asked. She told me how she had to go to a room in an unfamiliar part of her large new school and quietly prayed in her head that God could help her find the way and that, next thing, an older student took notice of her and asked whether she needed assistance, and then ended up walking her to where she needed to be. My daughter recognised God’s help at that moment and said a quiet prayer of thanks to God. It made me think, how often have I been lost, literally and figuratively, and was gently pointed in the right direction or set on the right path again by God, but failed to recognise it? How often have I failed to give thanks to God when thanks was due? How often have I acted like the nine lepers who didn’t return?

The story of these 10 lepers healed by Jesus gives me so much hope. You see, Jesus knew before he healed them all that not all of them would return to give thanks – and healed them anyway. Jesus knew Judas would end up betraying him – but he called, journeyed with, and taught him anyway. Sometimes I’m ignorant of God’s goodness to me, but he lavishes blessings upon me regardless. Jesus also did it for the thief on the cross, the soldiers who crucified him, and Saul who persecuted the Christians before he became known as Paul: Jesus embraces, prays for and blesses those who are most unworthy of his love and grace. So radical, so unexpected. So Jesus.

What are you thanking God for right now?

Gracious Jesus, you are gracious, loving, and compassionate even when you know I don’t deserve it. Grant me the strength and guidance of your Holy Spirit to act graciously, lovingly and compassionately towards others, and to give thanks to you in all circumstances. Amen.