Ascension Sunday

WesleyMen Lenten & Easter Devotionals 2025

Gospel Lectionary

Luke 24:44-53 New International Version

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Reflection

Until recently, the Methodist Church in the Gambia in the sub-region of West Africa, was known to most people as the Methodist Mission. We have been described as a “Mission” rather than a “Church”. Recently it dawned on me whether the people describing us as a “Mission” and not as a “Church” really appreciated an understanding of these notions.

A “Church” to a large extent is seen as an institution with hierarchy, a group of ‘believers’ who are called out into the light of Christ (ekklesia) or a congregation of saints and sinners. There might be few other concepts that could define an understanding of the term “Church”.
“Mission” on the other hand is derived from the word ‘missio’ which means to send. This raises for me few questions. Who is sending? Who is sent? To whom are we sent? And what are we sent to do or deliver?

In our scriptural text on Ascension Sunday, we can make inferences that our Lord Jesus Christ had mission in mind in his discussion with his disciples and friends. Thus appreciated, let’s quickly remind ourselves of an understanding of the aforesaid questions.
We believe that we are sent by our Lord Jesus Christ in our famous ethos as Methodists. Methodism was raised [by our Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit] to spread scriptural holiness in the Land. As disciples within the Methodist family, we believe that this call/mission/challenge is for all as we uphold an understanding of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2 verse 9). Thus understood, we hold the believe that every one of us is called to participate in the “Mission” or calling of the “Church”. This calling is never limited to a select few but to all.

Further in our understanding of our calling, we believe we are called to all of creation. We are called to spread the call to scriptural holiness to all in all of creation. John Wesley, our father in faith would challenge us to do all the good we can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.

Understood and appreciated thus far, the question is what are we called to represent as a “Mission”? I suggest that we have a five broad “Mission” as a people called to spread scriptural holiness:

1. To proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ – to tell out loudly and clearly the gospel message as best summed in the 4 Alls of Methodism. All human beings are in need of salvation in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23); all human beings can be saved in Jesus Christ (John 3 :16); all human beings can know they are saved (Romans 8:16); and all human beings can be saved to the uttermost (John 14:1-6).

2. To teach, baptize and nurture believers in our faith (Matthew 28 18 -20)
3. To respond to human needs lovingly (John 21: 15 -17)
4. To stand and fight against injustice (Amos 5: 24)
5. To take care and sustain creation (Genesis1 :28)

Conclusion

In order to fulfill this mission, two prayers that I believe we need to associate with are:
1. Lord Jesus, open our mind to understand the Scriptures.
2. Lord Jesus, clothe us with power from on high.

Call to Action

On this Ascension Sunday, we are reminded that our call is to all of creation. We are also mindful that there are lots of people on the move. Various reason could be forwarded for the various movements. One thing is definitely certain in all of these movement, it is that the people remain human and remain part of creation- hence within our call jurisdiction. These people are in need of our mission mandate of hearing the good news of Jesus Christ, desirous of being taught, baptized and nurtured in the Christian faith, having needs beyond food, clothing and shelter, seeking justice and hoping for a better version of creation.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we seek the power of the Holy Spirit and an understanding of the Scriptures as we continually avail ourselves to Your mission and purpose. We willingly offer all we have and to serve You as and where You choose. Amen