The Ascension: Thursday, May 17, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

Ezekiel 1:1-28b

Today, Ezekiel sees this tremendous vision. And I'll be honest with you, I can't explain exactly what it was all about. I can offer opinions, I can tell you what different commentators say, but to actually tell you what is happening in this passage, I don't fully know.

What I know is this. For the longest time, the people of Israel through that God could only speak to them in the promised land, and through the temple. But, here we see Ezekiel in a foreign land, receiving a vision from. God can speak to His people anywhere. He does not just speak in church. He can speak to you through your work. Through your friends. Through your hobbies. Through your children. Today, be alert. Listen. God will be trying to speak to you, even through you may not be in church. Today, stop, and listen.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 2:5-18

We see Hebrews tell us that for a little why, Jesus was brought low to earth. But it was not for His good, it was for ours. He humbled Himself upon the earth to free us from our sins. He did this to destroy the power of sin in our lives, He did this so that we could live.

But, it is only through His power, His life, His Spirit that we can life. He did this work. Let us live through it.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 28:16-20

Three things of great importance. Go. Don't sit there. Don't wait until they come to you. Don't expect them to come to you. Go into all the world. Go to where their is need. Go to where there is hurt. Go.

Make disciples. What does that mean? To teach them to obey everything He has taught. We are commanded to not just tell people about Jesus, but teach them to obey Jesus. That is what a disciple is. One that obeys Jesus.

I will be with you. We don't go by ourselves. He goes with us. We are not alone. It is not by our power; but His. Go. Make disciples. You can, for He is with you.