Deciphering poetry in Hymns

Growing up I attended the local, popular Baptist church. While there were some modern choruses, the bulk of the service was taken up singing Hymns, accompanied by an impressive organ. That little green book...I can still visualise it, smell it, even the feel of the pages!

Since then I have become far more 'modern' in the style of worship I prefer and lead.

Nevertheless, I care for the theology we sing and many of the old hymns contain a more thoroughgoing appreciation of God, His character and activity than many of the more subjective reflective ditties composed today. (That's not to say we shouldn't use sung worship as an opportunity to connect head and heart, to seek God with our emotions!)

However, and this is a big however, I do think some of the language used in hymns can be quite obtuse. So today I'm making a request - I'd love to hear what people think about one of my favourite hymns, 'O Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness'.

Some of the language seems obscure, almost non-sensical (as this amusing reflection on the hymn contends). There is a poetic license employed, but we surely need to understand what we sing?

So... here's the hymn

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore Him: the Lord is His Name!

Low at His feet lay thy burden of carefulness,
High on His heart He will bear it for thee,
And comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,
Guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter His courts in the slenderness
Of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine;
For truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
These are the offerings to lay on His shrine.

These, though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,
He will accept for the Name that is dear;
Mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
Trust for our trembling and hope for our fear.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore Him: the Lord is His Name!

In particular I've highlighted the bits I'm a bit cagey on. What do you think?

Richard Baxter

Today's commemoration in the lectionary is for a chap I'd never heard of...Richard Baxter. Good old Wikipedia has a good article on him.

However, I was stunned to find a piece on Baxter by Leonard Ravenhill, who I have mentioned before as a truly inspirational preacher. Unsurprisingly, the piece (click here for piece) focuses on Baxter as a preacher. READ IT!

Ravenhill is concerned that those who preach do so with a passion to see people saved, but not cheaply. There has to be an agonizing over the souls of those preached to. Do we agonize over sin around us? Do we have a passion for the gospel?

I was surprised to note that 'Ye Holy Angels Bright' a hymn often sung on All Saints Day, was penned by Baxter. I really enjoyed learning this hymn last year and the words (as with most hymns) are inspirational:

Ye holy angels bright
Who wait at God's right hand
Or through the realms of light
Fly at your Lord's command
Assist our song
For else the theme
Too high doth seem
For mortal tongue

Ye blessed souls at rest
Who ran this earthly race
And now, from sin released
Behold the Savior's face
God's praisees sound
As in Hig light
With sweet delight
Ye do abound

Ye saints who toil below
Adore your heavenly King
And onward as ye go
Some joyful anthem sing
Take what He gives
And praise Him still
Through good and ill
Who ever lives

My soul, bear thou thy part
Triumph in God above
And with a willtuned heart
Sing thou the songs of love
Let all thy days
Till life shall end
Whate'er He send
Be filled with praise

Glorious Day!

Had this song sent to me...AWESOME!

Countdown to Pentecost - Day 8 of 9 - GENTLENESS

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:5)

I am a deeply ungentle person. I often speak harshly, have a brash exterior and can come across as a super-confident, funny and self-assured person. I do not think I display much gentleness!

Having considered all that has come before, gentleness is not about being weak or wet, rather it is the natural conclusion of a life that is lived in reference to God's character and activity. When we acknowledge the love that drove God to give his Son, that we might know the joy of his presence forever as we have peace with him and one another, and in turn marvel at his patient waiting for all to come to him, an act of such kindness...well surely we must bow in worship and confess our unworthiness.

Gentleness is often translated as humility, or meekness.

Ah...meekness. Immediately one thinks of the insipid phrase, 'Jesus meek and mild'...tosh! Well, in os much as this paints a picture of a lip-wristed and woolly Jesus, one who is not assertive or energetic.

However, Jesus himself speaks of the beatitude of meekness. When we think of the blessed attributes (be-attitudes) we (much like the fruit) should think of them progressively (and all encompassing). We are poor in spirit when we acknowledge our need of forgiveness, which in turn leads to a state of mourning (for our sin), and so to meekness, those who'll INHERIT THE EARTH (Matthew 5:5).

Meekness here refers to our humility and trust of God.

This clashes most profoundly with power, and our attempts to control our life.

As I look at my life I can think of lots of ways I assert myself: I am ambitious, I used to gossip at work (which shows a degree of control as I know things about people), I have often withheld information at work as a way of maintaining control/power, and there have been occasions when I have deliberately left my mug to be washed by others when it was never part of their role, but I sought to feel powerful. I should also admit that my lateness is not only discourteous, but perhaps an attempt to feel important (see how they waited for me!!). This desire for control makes me selfish.

Paul speaks of gentleness as like a 'nurse with a child' (1 Thessalonians 2:7). The image is clear we are completely and totally given over to the needs of another.

So then...how might gentleness be seen more in my life?
- Do I actively put my wife's needs before my own? I am deeply challenged when I read Paul's command to "do nothing out of selfish ambition" but put everyone's needs before my own (Phil 2:3). There should be a moment each day where I simply ask myself - am I pushing myself forward, or am I serving others?
- Do I have violent thoughts? Yes - especially on the road. I need to develop a spirit of servanthood on the road - always help other drivers, bear with their mistakes...
- What of my witness? Peter asks that we deliver our testimony in a spirit of gentleness (1 Peter 3:16). This is so difficult - we need to offer people our witness in a way that makes it clear it is done caring for them, putting them first.
- Do I talk gently or do I stir up arguments? Hmmm...

So as we draw closer to Pentecost I am struck that my life needs so much more of the Spirit to help these attitudes develop. Of course, the Spirit also comes that I might better imitate Jesus who is our example par excellence.

Consider this - Jesus, who turned over the money-changers tables, making a whip to do this, who railed at the Pharisees, this Jesus describes himself as "gentle and humble of heart" (Matt. 11:29).

We are called to follow our Lord. Come Spirit and help me cling more to Jesus.

Countdown to Pentecost - Day 6 of 9 - GOODNESS

"The effects of the light are seen in complete goodness, and right living, and
truth" (Ephesians 5:9)

God is good - we sing and shout it!

Goodness is a moral attribute. But we must always remember that our morals come from God. He is the reference point for all morals - a final standard. We are made in His image, and are therefore, hard-wired to know what is good, or bad, right or wrong.

This is not about God's holiness - which is about his otherness. Holiness is purity from sin, and being separated from sin. In addition, holiness is about being devoted to God's honour.

Goodness is both part of God's nature and his actions. The spirit comes that we might more ably live lives in reference to God's goodness. The Spirit acts to cleanse our consciences and develop in us a deep sense of right and wrong.

"When we evaluate things in the way God created us to evaluate them, we will also approve what God approves and delight in things which he delights"

So...let us think briefly on where we struggle in this area.

Are we involved in anything that hinders growth in goodness becuase it makes it difficult to be separated from sin and devoted to God?
Am I actively invovled in anything I know is wrong?

Countdown to pentecost - Day 5 of 9 - KINDNESS

I can’t quite put into words how hard it is to continue to walk each day faithfully. I find it so hard to maintain a life of righteousness, a life free from the taint of sin. Blogging quickly becomes onerous and hard to fit in…or at least that’s how it feels. Which is a timely reminder that it is not my strength that is important. Each day I need to place my life and its concerns in God’s hands, asking that I be clothed with power. In our consideration of the Spirit we must not simply examine Him academically, but come petitioning for his loving support.

As we reach the mid-point in our preparations for Pentecost – day 5 of 9 - we are faced with the fruit of kindness. Alternative translations use gentleness, but in the main there is a high level of agreement that kindness is what God looks to see in our lives. The Message, however, uses the phrase ‘compassion in your heart’, which aids us in our understanding of what precisely kindness is.

Compassion, gentleness, mercy…

In Acts kindness is referred to describe several events: the healing of a lame man, God’s provision of rain in season, the centurion Julius allowing Paul, a prisoner, to pop off to see his friends, and the welcome given by the Maltese to the shipwrecked, shown in the building of a fire to warm them after clinging to bits of ship on the Mediterranean.

And it is this last act of kindness that perhaps sums up the call placed on us – to serve others. The examples in Acts are all remarkably practical – health, food, friendship and warmth.

Paul writes, “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32)

This is the requirement of kindness, to model the kindness God shows us in his provision: food, shelter, family, friends, forgiveness, the Spirit, His Word, and the promise of eternity in His presence. We should be kind, for God is kind. But sadly, I am almost daily overcome with a sense of how mean I can be. I withhold a smile, mutter and curse someone under my breath, speak insensitively to my wife, on it goes. God, however, knows our frailty, and so provides the spirit to strengthen us.

So in what ways should we be seeking to see the Spirit bring a fresh sense of kindness in our lives:

1. Kind words
I remember vividly the pneumonic, THINK, some years ago concerning the way we use our tongue; it is worth repeating. When we speak we should ensure what we say is filtered through a God-led quality assurance matrix – i.e. does what we’re saying match with the five point criteria:
True – are we lying in any way? If so, that is not Godly speech
Helpful – is what we’re saying serving others or is it likely to cause upset or confusion. Are we helping the other person, or by offering an explanation helping another?
Inspired – are we speaking God’s thoughts on the matter or our own, or worse repeating the lies of the enemy? Are we seeking to bring life?
Necessary – do we need say anything? It is worth remembering the old proverb that we have two ears and one mouth for good reason. Sometimes we offer the sacrifice of fools and speak too much
Kind – finally, is what we’re saying seasoned with love? Is it compassionate and merciful. For instance, when we have to communicate our anger or point out a flaw in another is it doe kindly or in a spirit of meanness?

2. Merciful forgiveness
When considering patience yesterday we are forced to admit we often lose our patience with others, we fail to bear with them.
Therefore, as we face the daily frustration of living with sinful humanity we should remember to show God’s kindness toward us, to those around us.
Are we harbouring any un-forgiveness or root of bitterness?
We are called to show God’s kindness in the way we forgive one another.

3. Simple acts
Finally, let us never seek to spiritualise our kindness.
We are kind in the things we do, as much as what is said. Indeed, God could have declared us forgiven, but instead he has shown us his kindness.
It may be helpful to start each day praying, “Lord, bring me someone today whom I can serve?” and we should always then be prepared regardless of our mood!
It might be holding a door for someone, saying Thank You, letting someone take a parking place in front of us, offering our lunch to someone else, preparing meals for the sick and infirm, visiting a lonely neighbour...there are many ways we can do this.

Above all we should be mindful that God’s kindness is shown on the cross – he is a lovingly kind Father who seeks to heal and forgive us. We cannot help ourselves we must rely on the kindness of another; therefore, we in turn must seek to serve those around us.

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

Countdown to Pentecost - Day 3 of 9 - PEACE

The Fruit of the Spirit is all too often seen as some sort of Christian spotters list, or a bingo card: how many fruits do you have? We proclaim some Christians more 'Christian' because they display more of the fruits; indeed, on occasion we exempt ourselves from occasional fruits due to some character flaw, or worse still, a besestting sin. I'm sure I used to consider Self-control beyond my grasp.


The truth is that Paul describes the work of the Spirit as producing Fruit. Not Fruits, but fruit. This may seem like a semantic point (one made to me once after I had preached) but actually it's a point worth making.


We are one tree. We are rooted in Jesus alone, so it stands to reason that this one tree bears much (albeit) differing fruit.


The Spirit seeks to develop in us a Christian character. I think it is worth saying that our character does change. However, when people describe us they will talk about what characterises us - our personality, our habits, our outlook and perspective, our attitudes, as well as physical traits and achievements. So when the Spirit comes into our life, He intends that those around us will see all nine fruits - not five or six, or seven if we're lucky!

So on this third day we come to Peace. We can see peace in our lives in three ways: past, present and future. Before we consider these three aspects of the work of peace, we should pause to think about the myriad ways we are not at peace.

There is firstly, a sense that without peace in our hearts we are deeply unsettled, somehow incomplete and fractured. The sin in our lives makes us feel disjointed - perhaps at war with ourselves. We look out on a world wracked with war and violence, where sworn enemies never allow themselves to not think about hating another. So peace is about an absence of war.

Peace is also an absence of confusion or disorder. We look at our daily lives and sense the frantic energy that is often expended to keep our lives 'in order'...the bills, the meetings, the food and meals, the trips, the holidays, the savings, the poorly relatives, and on it goes. We get to the end of each day and wonder where all the time went - we feel incapable of pausing and enjoying the moment.

Peace then brings us both freedom from both war and disorder.

In terms of our past, we see peace in the forgiveness wrought for us. Without the work of Christ we would remain enemies of God. By his cross we are made friends of God - we are at peace with him. This forgiveness also requires a sense of 'letting go'; letting go of the guilt that clings, but also we are called to forgive in turn. The Spirit comes to free us from the bitterness that we cling to as we fail to forgive the long remembered offence.


In our present, we see peace in the daily sense of order in our life, the way we seek right relations with those around us (peacemakers).


We see peace in our attitude to the future. We can confidently, and joyfully, trust that God has a plan for our future.

So as we pause to meditate on the Spirit's benefits, we should look closely and confess where we fail to rely on the Spirit to bring peace. Maybe the following questions may help:
- Am I continually resentful and bitter toward another person, despite knowing I am forgiven and called to forgive?
- Are there people with whom I am at war?
- How is my emotional, mental and spiritual state?
- Does my life look ordered?
- Does the lack of order cause me to worry unneccessarily?
- With regard to money, am I budgeting, or planning my finances?

"The peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)

Countdown to Pentecost - Day 2 of 9 - JOY

Upon reflection I do not think it is possible to argue that a Christian can be joyful on the inside without displaying some of the gladness of spirit on our face! Joy is not a spiritual form of happiness - it is the deepest and most real happiness. It is temporal and emotional. Joy should be written on our faces.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

When did you last get asked why you are so cheerful?
When did someone last ask why you face difficulties with joy?
Do you smile much?

I've often found it helpful to think of the fruit of the spirit in terms of their opposites. For example, the opposite of love is obviously hatred. Joy is far less easy to polarise. It would be easy to describe anti-joy as unhappiness, or sadness, but somehow this feels weak, perhaps? Surely joy is more serious than happiness, more spiritual?

I'm constantly troubled my desire to systemise all the lists in the Bible, but I wonder if there is a progressiveness to Paul's list of fruit? After all, he clearly states in 1 Corinthians that love is the greatest, which implies that all other fruit is an outworking of love. This makes more sense when we reflect on Paul's injunctions that without love our acts are nothing. It is entirely possible to be kind and patient and self-controlled without recourse to love, and (as explored yesterday) this love is rooted in our response to God's mercy.

So joy is a response to the love God shows and gives. In making sense of this I think there are a number of prompts for our joy:

Firstly, we become joyful when we learn move of God's nature and his design for our life. We encounter God as our redeemer and saviour. He saves us, purifies and cleanses us from sin, and provides the energy to live a life of devotion. He doesn't remove us from the trials of life, but asks that we endure suffering as a constant reminder of what God passed through to achieve our redemption. The Psalmist speaks of God's presence as place that fills people with joy (Psalm 16:11), a place that the Psalmist longs for (Psalm 27:4). The Bible also speaks of our God as the one "who will not yield (his) glory to another" (Isaiah 48:11). We read in the Bible of our awesome God, who is entirely worthy of our worship, and this in turn helps us see that we are made to worship Him.

Secondly, we see how God sought to bring us back into his design. God displayed his love for us on the cross, the Spirit seeks to enable us to offer a response that befits such sacrifice. Furthermore, the cross did away with the necessity for the law, which was master at squeezing out joy. Our abundant lives are marked by freedom: freedom from sin, from the law...indeed, the Easter motif in the church is about our redemption from slavery. As Moses, we should be filled with joy, not only that God is worthy, or we are made to worship, but that God chose to intervene so decisively.

Thirdly, we can be assured of his work in our life by suffering, which is a cue for praise. Much of the New Testament is an encouragement to those who are suffering (Heb 10:34; 1 Peter 1:6,8; Romans 5:3; James 1:2). Jesus himself indicates that persecution is a mark of walking with Him (Matthew 5:11f.), but that in response we should "rejoice and be glad". This is no mere flippant cheeriness, nor a pollyanna complex which says things are fine when they are not. It would be immoral for a rape victim to smile through the pain stating that 'it's all fine, no really, I'm happy!' The joy that accompanies suffering and persecution is related entirely to our knowledge of the benefits of the cross, the example of Jesus himself. [On a personal level, I cannot quite explain the joy I now feel as I look at my son, who came after my wife and I lost a child, Thea, at 22 weeks or a pregnancy. The pain and sadness that accompanied the loss of Thea is somehow purified in the joy of Elijah's arrival. It doesn't say that Thea's death was a happy event, just that the inexpressible joy Peter speaks of often comes through the pain.]

Finally, joy comes as we are assured of His return. Paul speaks of joy that comes from "the hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:2). The Bible speaks openly of Jesus' return - does this fact cause us to worry or rejoice?

So joy comes as we see who God is, what we're made for, what He has done for us, the life He calls us to lead, and the promise of eternity in His presence.

Therefore, when we think of the fruit of joy, what might we expect to see in our life?
- Joy in worship
- Joy in demeanour

Joy in worship
The Spirit's fruit of joy is seen in corporate gatherings. Worship is often maligned as time-wasting. It is the support act to the real job of Evangelism. This position totally minunderstands the enormous benefits worship can bring to helping us feel (yes, feel) more joyful! Man's first, chief and highest end is to glorify God. When we act in ways to fulfil this purpose we begin to experience an intensity of joy, hitherto unknown.

Pentecost represents the moment, from which “the worship of the new age had been ushered in. The church, the assembly for worship, was praising God...Reverent corporate worship, then, is not optional for the church of God…Rather it brings to expression the very being of the church. It manifests on earth the reality of the heavenly assembly” (Clowney)

Paul asks the Colossians to sing. So should we. I am deeply suspicious of those who do not 'get' worship. I realise it is not the be all and end all, but it can effect such profound change. I blog elsewhere on worship, but a few pointers here.

Are you consciously adoring God in your heart, when you come to church?
Are you engaging with praising with your voice (speaking or singing)?

Joy in demeanour
Knowing that we are to live forever, do we give the impression that we'd sooner die and rot? I think too many Christians are appalling advertisements for God, his character and his work, by the grumpiness with which we operate. Some translations of the word joy in Galatians 5 include: gladness, happy, or even "exuberance about life".

So the challenge this day, concerning this fruit has to be about our outlook:
- Are we failing to be who we're made to be?
- Are we failing to obey God's word?
- Am I unwittingly marginalising the importance of joy becuase that's not my personality type?

Some verses to end:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for
this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glopry and honour and power.
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being"
(Revelation 4:11)

REFERENCE
Clowney, E. (n/a) 'The Biblical Theology of the Church'. In: Carson, D.A. The Church in the Bible and the World. pp.17-19

Countdown to Pentecost - Day 1 of 9 - LOVE

Ascensiontide is a great time to reflect on both the exaltation of Jesus into heaven and the role of the Spirit in our lives.

We all too often fall into patterns of living that are marked by a complete disregard for the Lordship of Christ - he does not sit on our throne: we do. But then when we do feel drawn to live lives of holiness we all too frequently struggle in our own strength to be righteous, and utterly failing! We do not avail ourselves of the Spirit's empowering.

This is such a shame, for it is the Spirit's desire to transform us, and in so doing gives us present assurance of our salvation. This is so significant in a world that tells us uncertainty is king. We can look back over our life and see whether there has been evidence of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and whether there is a long-term pattern of growth in my Christian life.

So, in an attempt to think through where the Spirit is at work in my life I will use each of the nine days between Ascension Day and before Pentecost to examine each of the fruits.

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in them"

(1 John 4:16)

So first up is love....oh boy!

As a husband (and now father) I am keenly aware of how often I fail to act in a loving way to my wife. I can be surly, grumpy, moody and generally a bit of an insensitive moron. Simply put: I am selfish.

And perhaps this is the heart of God's view on love - it is about self-sacrifice, selfishness is anathema to love. If the greatest love is seen in the way we lay down our lives for others, where do I behave in this way? Or am I not all too often self-seeking (1 Cor 13:5)?

As I've prayed this morning I am struck by the way Paul lists a number of the other fruit as signs of love: patience, kind, joyful, gentle... So in a sense love is the doorway. If we fail to love our self-control, our goodness is all meaningless, which is precisely the point Paul is making in 1 Corinthians 13; religious activity is pointless if we do not love.

We love, however, because we are loved first (1 John 4:10).

Our love is a response. And so it should be in our attitude to others, especially our 'loved ones'...notice that...my wife is my 'loved one'. She is loved by me, so she is my beloved. It would never work if I approach love as something I give after she gives it to me...like some bank witholding a loan before a person opens a current account. No...I'm to give my love away.

This is how God operates!

God reveals his love in Jesus (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9)

I was reminded yesterday that Romans 12:1, the great injunction to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, refers to 'God's mercies' as the motivating factor. What is God's mercy? That Jesus came to die for me, to rise for me, and to go before me into heaven to prepare an eternal home.

I am fascinated by the 5 languages of love stuff. Remarkably, I think Jesus shows each of us each of the signs: words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, receving gifts, and physical touch. He speaks to us from the pages of the Gospels, telling us how much God loves us (just think of the parables). He laid down his very life, devoting his 33 odd years to his great work of love - that's quality love. Act of service? I should think so.

And to follow these up, Jesus offers us the ongoing gift of the Spirit, who for many people offers a regular sense of God's touch in their lives.

Maybe I'm stretching these - but the point is clear - God loves us.

So what should I do today to seek more of God's love:
- Have I read the Gospels recently to hear Jesus' words for me?
- Do I seek my own way at home? Do I withhold my affection from my wife waiting to be loved first?
- Have I asked the Spirit to show me where I am unloving?

To end, it is worth quoting at length from 1 John...it's a remarkable overview of love:

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who
loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know
God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his
one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love:
not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning
sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to
love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God
lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we
live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. "

1 John 4:7-13

The importance of Ascension Day

Booyah! We’ve done it…40 days for Lent, followed by 40 days for Eastertide…and so we arrive at the much neglected feast of the Ascension.

It’s fair to say that Christians who aren’t affiliated to liturgical/lectionary-following churches may not even consider this a ‘valid’ Christian celebration (they may not even know it exists!). Many Christians are more than happy to have a non-seasonal approach and content themselves with Easter and Christmas, others will be mindful of Palm Sunday, a smaller number will commemorate Good Friday, although, a number of churches do mark Pentecost.

But Ascension Day?....eh? What’s that? And more importantly, why is Ascension Day important to Christians?

Ascension Day remembers Jesus’ departure from earth, his ascension into heaven, recorded at length at the beginning of Acts (Acts 1:1-11). Jesus spends 40 days after his resurrection with the disciples, but finally he must leave, which he does in front of the disciples themselves. He is “taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from sight”. After this two angels appear to inform the eleven that Jesus would “come back in the same way you have seen him go”. While teaching prior to his ascension, Jesus has reminded the disciples of three things: firstly, the disciples were to wait for the anointing of the Holy Spirit; secondly, his return was not a matter to speculate on (see my blog on Jesus return); and thirdly, they were to witness, which the anointing was to equip them for.

So on one level, Ascension Day is about remembering these instructions.

However, there is a deeper, more complex theological significance to the feast.

Fulfilment of prophecy. Psalm 110 is quoted liberally throughout the New Testament. In it, King David prophetically sees “The LORD says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand.’” Jesus himself spoke about what would happen to him. John 14:12 he refers to his “going to the Father” (cf. John 14:2-3, 28; 16:5), even after his resurrection he is mindful that his ‘journey’ is not yet complete (John 20:17). This is a point much overlooked by protestant churches; there is a completeness in the cross and resurrection, but part of its application is the saving of humanity and its flesh.

Taking up of authority. God has given Jesus authority to reign now, as He is now in heaven. Remarkably, during his Pentecost sermon, Peter speaks of the Ascension as an ‘exaltation’ of Jesus (Acts 2:33). Peter has no sense that Jesus is merely out of sight, but very much exalted and reigning as he spoke – and this just ten days after seeing him ‘disappear’! Peter returns to this theme in his first letter stating that Jesus is “at God’s right hand” (1 Peter 3:22). Psalm 110 is referred to by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 where he refers to Jesus presently reigning, he does not consider Jesus reign as lying sometime in the future, he is seated “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion… not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:20f. emphasis mine – showing that Paul sees both a present and future rule; see also Romans 10:6)

Honouring of humanity. Jesus’ exaltation fulfils prophecy, endows Him with authority, but by virtue of the fact Jesus ascends in a temporal body, it redeems our very flesh. Jesus does not ascend only as the Son of God, but also as the Son of Man:

"Jesus glorified our fallen and sinful humanity when He returned to the Father"

Jesus is welcomed into heaven, and in so doing God says ‘mankind can once more be in my presence’. During the season of Easter we read the story of Stephen’s martyrdom. As he prepares to die he says: “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God”. Several points here: 1. Jesus is in heaven already; 2. He is seen as the Son of Man (the only time anyone other than Jesus uses the term); and 3. He is standing, which is seen as representing great authority (standing in His Father’s presence!). Stephen’s vision is one we are party to, and as a result we can confidently state the same of Jesus today. He is in heaven, right now as our ambassador. Jesus goes to prepare our way. This is a wondrous idea – that Jesus in his human body is now in heaven. This further paves the way for the glorification of our own bodies; Peter refers to the fact that we even now can participate in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). We do not have space here to consider the offices in which Jesus, as our representative, is now our mediator and priest in heaven.

Preparation for Pentecost. After the ascension we have a further ten days before we reach Pentecost. Therefore, in a liturgical sense, there is an element of preparation as we consider the part the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. Ascension Day can start this preparation.

[An important caveat: the lectionary returns to what is known as ‘Ordinary Time’ the very first day after Pentecost. This is because we don’t have a Pentecost-tide, or “season” to focus on the Spirit, for we are always, all-year-round blessed with the Spirit. We are never apart from His presence and activity. Indeed, it is possibly unhelpful to have a Christian calendar precisely for this reason. Just as at Christmas where we must always be careful not to pretend we are waiting for Jesus’ first coming, so with Pentecost we must not think we are to imitate the disciples in the Upper room waiting for his outpouring – the Spirit is with us right now! This should also restrain the temptation to marginalise Ascension themes in Ascensiontide in favour of Pentecost prep…]

There is, nevertheless, the need to consider afresh the degree to which we permit the Spirit to have influence and authority in our life. Do we, for instance, resist the gifts of the Spirit? Are we prone to sins that flatly contradict the fruit of the Spirit? Do I ignore the work of the Spirit as He pricks my conscience about sins in my life? Not only personally, but corporately, are our churches marked by a keen sense that the Spirit guides, leads and directs? Are our services marked by human effort or the Spirit’s enabling? Do we preach about the Spirit, indeed? Fundamentally, do we recognise that on Ascension Day we can celebrate that as a result of Jesus going to heaven he was able to send the Spirit—no Ascension, no Pentecost.

All this is well and good, but what practical response might Ascensiontide prompt? A few questions and ides:

1. Do I submit to Jesus authority in my life? Or am constantly battling to be the ‘boss of me’? Do I see Jesus as merely my Lord, or Lord of all?



2. When did I last speak to someone about what Jesus has done in my life? Do I chat with my wife and family about my relationship with God?



3. Do we have a present trust that Jesus will return? Does this provoke a holiness of life, or am I ‘asleep on the job’?



4. What experiences of the Spirit have I had recently? Am I exercising my gifts? In what ways am I being more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled?
   Perhaps we should use the nine days after Ascension, and before Pentecost, to meditate each day on each of the fruits?
   Friday 3rd June Love 1 John 4:16
   Saturday 4th June Joy Philippians 4:4
   Sunday 5th June Peace Philippians 4:7
   Monday 6th June Patience Romans 5:4
   Tuesday 7th June Kindness Ephesians 4:32
   Wednesday 8th June Goodness Ephesians 5:9
   Thursday 9th June Faithfulness Revelation 2:10
   Friday 10th June Gentleness Philippians 4:5
   Saturday 11th June Self-control Titus 1:8
   [I am particularly grateful to John Methuen for this idea]



5. Knowing that Jesus’ ascension fulfils prophecy does this give me more confidence when asked about Jesus?



6. Do I have a negative view of humanity? Do I treat my body with disrespect?
   

Ascension Day is a great time in the year to celebrate Jesus Lordship, he was prophesied to come, to die, to raise to life, and then to ascend on high. In heaven he now mediates on our behalf, seeks to be our Lord and sends the Spirit to aid us. Meanwhile, we cling with hope and fervent trust that just as Jesus left we can know he will, one day, return!

REFERENCES
Orthodox Family Life (1999)'The Meaning and Importance of Ascension' [Online]
Available: http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/feasts/ascen.htm [2 June 2011]

Ascension Day Hymns

A few Ascension themed hymns...

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Rejoice, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and heaven,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope! The Lord and Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!


Hail the day that sees Him rise, Alleluia!
To His throne above the skies, Alleluia!
Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia!
Reascends His native heaven, Alleluia!

There the glorious triumph waits, Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates, Alleluia!
Christ hath conquered death and sin, Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in, Alleluia!

Circled round with angel powers, Alleluia!
Their triumphant Lord, and ours, Alleluia!
Conqueror over death and sin, Alleluia!
“Take the King of glory in! Alleluia!”

Him though highest Heav’n receives, Alleluia!
Still He loves the earth He leaves, Alleluia!
Though returning to His throne, Alleluia!
Still He calls mankind His own, Alleluia!

See! He lifts His hands above, Alleluia!
See! He shows the prints of love, Alleluia!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
Blessings on His church below, Alleluia!

Still for us His death He pleads, Alleluia!
Prevalent He intercedes, Alleluia!
Near Himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
Harbinger of human race, Alleluia!

Master, (will we ever say), Alleluia!
Taken from our head to day, Alleluia!
See Thy faithful servants, see, Alleluia!
Ever gazing up to Thee, Alleluia!

Grant, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
Far above yon azure height, Alleluia!
Grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
Seeking Thee beyond the skies, Alleluia!

Ever upward let us move, Alleluia!
Wafted on the wings of love, Alleluia!
Looking when our Lord shall come, Alleluia!
Longing, gasping after home, Alleluia!

There we shall with Thee remain, Alleluia!
Partners of Thy endless reign, Alleluia!
There Thy face unclouded see, Alleluia!
Find our heaven of heavens in Thee, Alleluia!


The head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns
The mighty victor’s brow.

The highest place that Heav’n affords
Belongs to Him by right;
The King of kings and Lord of lords,
And Heaven’s eternal Light.

The joy of all who dwell above,
The joy of all below,
To whom He manifests His love,
And grants His Name to know.

To them the cross with all its shame,
With all its grace, is given;
Their name an everlasting name,
Their joy the joy of Heaven.

They suffer with their Lord below;
They reign with Him above;
Their profit and their joy to know
The mystery of His love.

The cross He bore is life and health,
Though shame and death to Him,
His people’s hope, His people’s wealth,
Their everlasting theme.


Other hymns that refer to Jesus' ascension are 'Alleluia, sing to Jesus' and the more recent, 'You're the Word of God the Father'.