Passing on the Mantle

Most of the elements in this morning’s service relate in some way to Jesus’ ascension, a story found in the first three verses of this morning’s sermon text (Acts 1:9-11). We are called into worship by Psalm 68, which foresees God Himself “ascend[ing] on high, leading a host of captives in [His] train.” We’ll sing several hymns, such as O Christ, Our Hope, A Hymn Of Glory Let Us Sing, and There Is No Greater Portrait, that describe Christ as our “ascended Lord” who “ascended to the skies,” arriving at the throne of God “by a road before untrod.” We hear the story of Elijah and Elisha in this morning’s Scripture reading (2 Kings 2:1-15), in which one prophet is lifted up into heaven while another is left gazing at the sky in wonder. We are encouraged to “look up” in psalms and hymns like The Lord I Will At All Times Bless—Psalm 34 and Before The Throne Of God Above, fixing our eyes on the work of our Savior rather than our own guilt and shame. Though we cannot see Him physically, as the Apostles did, we can sing Alleluia! Sing To Jesus which reminds us not to forget His promise, “I am with you evermore.” As we lift up our eyes, faces, and hearts to Him, the Ascended Lord blesses us by lifting up His own countenance (Numbers 6:26) on us. —Henry C. Haffner