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Ascension of the Lord • Year B
May 9, 2024
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Historical Collect
Almighty God, we believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, has ascended into the heavens to sit at your right hand. Grant that our hearts and minds may be directed there, as well, to dwell in him each day, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Thematic Collect
Almighty God, Jesus ascended to the throne at your right hand. Help us to trust in his never-ending presence that we may bear witness to your grace until the day when we celebrate with all the saints around your throne; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
We see the resurrected Christ through the eyes of faith. Receiving his power through the Holy Spirit—primarily the power to believe—we proclaim the word that inspires faith in others. This proclamation is the very shout of God in Christ ascending into heaven. For we preach Christ crucified, dead, risen, and ascended. Even now, Christ is seated there at the right hand of the Father, enthroned upon the praises of his people: an enlightened people filled with the hope of a glorious inheritance. For just as Christ arose, they too will rise (2 Cor 4:14) and ascend to their Lord. We are sealed with this promise through the Holy Spirit.
First Reading • Acts 1:1-11
Angels explain the Lord's ascension, just as they had explained his conception and resurrection and other key events in his life that we find difficult to comprehend. That task now falls to Christ's Church. His disciples are given the mission of proclaiming the word about the ascended Christ until he returns. No matter how long that may take, we are commanded to go into the whole world with the gospel until he comes again. We do not go alone and powerless, for Jesus promised to send his Holy Spirit upon his witnesses.
Psalm • Psalm 47:1-9
Note the movement of this psalm. The King begins on the earth, subduing nations and giving his people a great heritage. In the middle verse, he ascends with a shout. In the remaining verses, he reigns as King over all the earth. Jesus fulfills this psalm in every way, so with the psalmist, we exalt the King of all the earth in song.
Second Reading • Ephesians 1:15-23
He who had descended is now ascended (Ephesians 4:9). As he had gone to the lowest depths, he has gotten up to the highest height of heaven where God alone sits. Christ, whom earthly powers subjected to humiliation, suffering, and death for our sakes, is now seated at the right hand of his Father in heaven. He is so far above rulers of the earth and the dominions of the air that all things in heaven and earth are under his feet. He is Lord over all. "This means that he is King and Lord over all that is God’s in heaven, earth, and hell. Hence he can help me and all believers against all troubles and against every adversary and foe" (Luther’s Works, Vol. 43, p. 27). And this is only part of the hope and inheritance (Ephesians 1:18) we have in the ascended Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel • Luke 24:44-53
When Christ ascended, he did not leave his disciples powerless. Indeed, he blessed them and “clothed them” with the promised Holy Spirit. This is why the Church is able to preach the law and find that the Holy Spirit works in the gospel of grace so effectively. Jesus has endowed his Church with this very great power, so we may take up his blessing with the expectation that he will open minds and hearts to his Word. The authority of the ascended Jesus, who gave both the blessing and the commission (Matthew 28:19-20), goes before his Church.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
