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Weekly Bible Notes, 12th May 2002
Ascension Sunday

Year A. Colour: White

Opening Verse of Scripture—Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Collect Prayer for the Day

O God the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

First Bible Reading  Acts 1:1-11
Jesus taken up into Heaven

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (This is word of the Lord—Thanks be to God)

Second Bible Reading  John 17:1-11
Jesus Prays for Himself and for His Disciples

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. (This is word of the Lord—Thanks be to God)

Post Communion Prayer

Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

After years of telling my children to avoid computer games, I have just discovered why they are so compulsive. I have not changed my mind on some points, they can consume far too much time and many of them are completely mindless. But Star Wars Rogue Squadron is amazing! You can fly a fighter jet just like Luke Skywalker and destroy hundreds of ‘drones’ and other evil enemies. I achieved a gold medal in one game but alas I am still only a cadet pilot. Max on the other hand is a Colonel. I was impressed by his obvious skill until I discovered that he has learned a very naughty trick. Apparently these games have ‘cheats’ built into them and Max had learned how to tell the computer that he could not be killed. By typing ‘I am Dolly’ you are apparently immortal. So he flies anywhere and he never gets shot down in flames, he has escaped the power of death.

After Easter the disciples must have felt as though Jesus had discovered such a ‘cheat’ in the game of life. They were now following a leader who could not be killed. After suffering such a terrible feeling of loss at his death, hope was alive again at his resurrection. Perhaps this was now the opportunity for Jesus to conquer the world. Listen to the words from Acts which the disciples used to question Jesus 

‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 

BUT! Today is the Sunday after the Ascension and we remember that Jesus did not use his power to keep on cheating death. Instead of leading them on, he was leaving them on their own. How must they have felt as they watched him go away with these words ringing in their ears, 

‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’ 

The disciples were reminded that Jesus had not gone forever. He had gone before them and he had left them a task to complete. This task would not be accomplished by them on their own. The Ascension was not an end to Jesus’ ministry, it was the beginning of a new kind of relationship with his disciples. Jesus had said that he would send the Holy Spirit. As they waited and prayed after the Ascension, they too found the power of God and discovered that Jesus had not deserted them, he was with them still and would continue to be with them at all times even to the end of the earth.

The secret of success for all of us is to remember that we are not alone. God promises us his Holy Spirit too. All that we have to do is like the disciples wait for that power from on high. Success is not achieved through our greater effort, but through our greater dependence. For in the words of Isaiah ‘it is those who wait on the Lord who shall renew their strength.’ Charles Royden

A Meditation for Christian Aid Week

If you cannot feed one hundred hungry people, 
feed just one. Mother Theresa

Hymns (Mission Praise)

1. Lo! He comes, with clouds descending (424)
2. All heaven declares (14)   sung after confession
3. All earth was dark (8)
4. All hail the power of Jesus' name! (13)
5. Jesus shall reign (379)
6. Rejoice, the Lord is King! (575)

Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead in Christian Aid Week.

What do you know about... scales? 
Scales feature on Christian Aid's trade badge, highlighting the imbalance of global trade. The figure in the middle reminds us that the imbalance is the result of human rules; but it also gives us hope, because people are the solution – we must all take action to help tip the balance of trade in favour of poor people.

We dare to pray: Lord, let the world be changed, for we long to see the end of poverty; We dare to pray: Lord, let the rules be changed, for we long to see trade bring justice to the poor; We dare to pray: Lord, let our lives be changed, for we long to bring hope where good news is needed. In the strength of your Spirit and inspired by your compassion, We make this promise to work for change, and wait confidently for the day when you make all things new. Amen.

Holy Father, we commend into your hands our family and our friends, our neighbours and our benefactors. Strengthen and confirm all faithful people and convert all sinners into your ways of goodness and love. Rouse the careless, raise the fallen, heal the sick, and grant your peace to the dying; and all for your own love's sake. Amen Brooke Foss Westcott, 1825-1901

Lord, you make all things new. Give me fresh energy to face this day's challenges and responsibilities. Help me to concentrate when my mind wanders. Prevent me from feeling guilty when I need to take time for myself. Save me from pride when people praise my efforts. Renew my desire to serve when my enthusiasm wanes. Help me to trust you for the things I cannot change or understand. Let me know your love in my life that it may touch others also. Amen.

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