2026-05-17 Ascension of Our Lord
2026-05-17 Ascension of Our Lord
Acts 1:1-11 by St Luke
Acts opens with a prologue (verses 1–5), which parallels the Gospel’s prologue (Luke 1:1–4), by addressing an otherwise unknown person, Theophilus (either Luke’s benefactor or a shorthand term for any believer, since the name means “lover of God”). The Korahites were descendants of Korah, a Levite who famously led a rebellion against Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 16). While the earth swallowed Korah and his followers, Scripture notes a significant detail: "However, the sons of Korah did not die" (Numbers 26:11).
Jesus orders the disciples to stay in Jerusalem “to wait for the promise of the Father,” which is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit they will experience 10 days later, on the day of Pentecost.
“This power will have a purpose, to make these ordinary people into Jesus’ witnesses first to the Samaritans, their kinfolk who have a deep inter-generational hatred for each other, then to the Gentile across the Roman empire and finally to the ends of the Earth.
The preaching of the Gospel will include impure spirits being cast out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed by Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:6-7), rabid persecutors like Saul become blind to gain spiritual sight (9:8-9). Jailers becoming captives will prisoners are free (Acts 16:27-30). Spirit-filled preachers are sometimes celebrated (2:41) and other times stoned (7:55-60).
Jesus orders the disciples to stay in Jerusalem “to wait for the promise of the Father,” which is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit they will experience 10 days later, on the day of Pentecost.
“This power will have a purpose, to make these ordinary people into Jesus’ witnesses first to the Samaritans, their kinfolk who have a deep inter-generational hatred for each other, then to the Gentile across the Roman empire and finally to the ends of the Earth.
The preaching of the Gospel will include impure spirits being cast out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed by Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:6-7), rabid persecutors like Saul become blind to gain spiritual sight (9:8-9). Jailers becoming captives will prisoners are free (Acts 16:27-30). Spirit-filled preachers are sometimes celebrated (2:41) and other times stoned (7:55-60).
Psalm 47
Eleven psalms are credited to the "Sons of Korah" (Psalms 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 84, 85, 87, and 88). The Korahite psalms are distinct from the Davidic psalms because they focus heavily on Jerusalem and the Temple. They use visceral imagery for spiritual thirst (e.g., "As the deer pants for streams of water"). And last but not least, Several of their songs celebrate God as King over all nations, not just Israel
The Korahite were a group of musicians and poets, unique because their family history is a story of survival and redemption. They represent God's mercy. Korah, a Levite who famously led a rebellion against Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 16). While the earth swallowed Korah and his followers, Scripture notes a significant detail: "However, the sons of Korah did not die" (Numbers 26:11). Generations later, these survivors became prominent temple musicians and "doorkeepers" during King David's reign. Their psalms are often noted for their deep emotional honesty and a profound "longing" for God's presence.
Christians have used it on Ascension Day. “God has gone up with a shout” (verse 5) brings to mind Jesus’s ascent into heaven by being “lifted up” into the sky (Acts 1:9).
The early church used the psalm to celebrate the ascension of Jesus, who is now seated at the right hand of the Father, empowering early Christians to be bold in their faith despite the real possibility of death due to treason.
In Jewish tradition, Psalm 47 was an enthronement psalm, not for an earthly king but for God over all creation including all the nations of the Earth. If only we could hear this psalm instead of just read it, our ears would ring with a royal fanfare of trumpets, and the clapping, shouting, and singing
The Korahite were a group of musicians and poets, unique because their family history is a story of survival and redemption. They represent God's mercy. Korah, a Levite who famously led a rebellion against Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 16). While the earth swallowed Korah and his followers, Scripture notes a significant detail: "However, the sons of Korah did not die" (Numbers 26:11). Generations later, these survivors became prominent temple musicians and "doorkeepers" during King David's reign. Their psalms are often noted for their deep emotional honesty and a profound "longing" for God's presence.
Christians have used it on Ascension Day. “God has gone up with a shout” (verse 5) brings to mind Jesus’s ascent into heaven by being “lifted up” into the sky (Acts 1:9).
The early church used the psalm to celebrate the ascension of Jesus, who is now seated at the right hand of the Father, empowering early Christians to be bold in their faith despite the real possibility of death due to treason.
In Jewish tradition, Psalm 47 was an enthronement psalm, not for an earthly king but for God over all creation including all the nations of the Earth. If only we could hear this psalm instead of just read it, our ears would ring with a royal fanfare of trumpets, and the clapping, shouting, and singing
Ephesians 1:17-23
The believers at Ephesus were Paul’s pride and joy because they turned from a pagan life to a life of faith in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
Paul was well aware of the imperfections of humanity and the church, so he exhorted believers to do everything through the power of the Holy Spirit (verse 19), otherwise all human effort is useless because it feeds egos, arrogance, and pride.
The work of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is vast, and the church is the space where God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are manifested. God, who raised Jesus from the grave, made him the head over all that happens in the life of the church and its believers (Ephesians 1:22–23; Philippians 2:9–11).
Paul was well aware of the imperfections of humanity and the church, so he exhorted believers to do everything through the power of the Holy Spirit (verse 19), otherwise all human effort is useless because it feeds egos, arrogance, and pride.
The work of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is vast, and the church is the space where God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are manifested. God, who raised Jesus from the grave, made him the head over all that happens in the life of the church and its believers (Ephesians 1:22–23; Philippians 2:9–11).
Matthew 28:16-20
Matthew 28:16-20 provides the narrative of the last recorded encounter of Jesus by the disciples and the final words of Jesus, referred to as the Great Commission, close the Gospel of St Matthew
Jesus has all authority given to him, we are to make disciples of all nations, we are to teach that we should obey all that he commanded during his earthly life, and the promise that closes is that he will be with us always.
- All authority: Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth, and is now revealed as the Lord of all
- All nations: The purpose of God is to be reconciled with all humanity, which includes every nationality and race by baptising them in the name of the trinity. This baptism becomes the initiation ritual that symbolically marks the movement from death to life.
- All that he commanded, underlines the necessity of doing what Jesus teaches by welcoming strangers, visiting the sick, feeding those who are hungry, and showing mercy to all.
- Always with us, prehaps the most comforting thought that Jesus will remain with us until the end of time
The arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was a deeply disorienting experience for his followers, unravelling completely in a day or two the great hopes and dreams they all shared. They had lost one they loved and admired to a brutal execution. Their world was turned upside down and they were hunkered down in fear of their own lives. To see Jesus alive after his death, must have been utterly confusing. Nothing in their history or Jewish faith had prepared them for what was occurring. To say they struggled with cognitive dissonance would be an understatement.
Directed to return to Galilee where Jesus would meet up with them, the disciples followed yet again, not knowing what they would encounter. Galilee was where it all began and Galilee, it seems, would mark the new beginning. It is difficult to imagine what their journey was like, but it had to have been a memorable one. It was the ultimate road trip, filled with long conversations that focused upon making sense of the mind-bending events that had transpired, wondering aloud what would happen next.
Jesus has all authority given to him, we are to make disciples of all nations, we are to teach that we should obey all that he commanded during his earthly life, and the promise that closes is that he will be with us always.
- All authority: Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth, and is now revealed as the Lord of all
- All nations: The purpose of God is to be reconciled with all humanity, which includes every nationality and race by baptising them in the name of the trinity. This baptism becomes the initiation ritual that symbolically marks the movement from death to life.
- All that he commanded, underlines the necessity of doing what Jesus teaches by welcoming strangers, visiting the sick, feeding those who are hungry, and showing mercy to all.
- Always with us, prehaps the most comforting thought that Jesus will remain with us until the end of time
The arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was a deeply disorienting experience for his followers, unravelling completely in a day or two the great hopes and dreams they all shared. They had lost one they loved and admired to a brutal execution. Their world was turned upside down and they were hunkered down in fear of their own lives. To see Jesus alive after his death, must have been utterly confusing. Nothing in their history or Jewish faith had prepared them for what was occurring. To say they struggled with cognitive dissonance would be an understatement.
Directed to return to Galilee where Jesus would meet up with them, the disciples followed yet again, not knowing what they would encounter. Galilee was where it all began and Galilee, it seems, would mark the new beginning. It is difficult to imagine what their journey was like, but it had to have been a memorable one. It was the ultimate road trip, filled with long conversations that focused upon making sense of the mind-bending events that had transpired, wondering aloud what would happen next.
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