While not celebrated as much as Easter, May contains two holidays we might consider this year. May 18th is considered in some denominations the Feast of the Ascension, celebrating the ascension of Jesus into heaven forty days after His resurrection. The other is Pentecost, the annual birthday of the Church, celebrated fifty days after Easter.
On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man. For Jesus to willingly put aside all of His glory and majesty to become like one of us is a powerful thing, and one I try to keep in mind every year. But Jesus’ return to the Father, and to be seated at God’s right hand? That is a MISSION ACCCOMPLISHED! Jesus’ presence with the Father begins another ministry that Jesus then and now continues to do for us. That is to be our Advocate with the Father, that if we sin, He argues for us before the throne for our forgiveness, as He has shed His own blood for us. He does this for us even today, and we need that to continue to come into Father’s presence.
On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and rightly so. That truly is the biggest day on our calendar, for everything changed the morning Jesus rose from the dead. But Pentecost remains nearly as important, as it is the day the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of God, came and dwelt among us, to lead and direct the work of the Church. Jesus said He would have to go so that the Father could send the Counselor. Once Jesus ascended, the Counselor came just ten days later. The disciples stayed in Jerusalem just as they were instructed, waiting for the Power from on High to descend upon them, and thus, the Church, Christ’s body and bride was born on the day that tongues of fire were lit upon their heads.
So whatever else May brings to you this year, let us rejoice and worship the Lord God for His precious gifts in His Ascension and in Pentecost. May God bless you this month!
Meritt Musings 