Thursday
was Ascension Day. My church united with the other LCMS churches in our
district for a joint service, and I sang in the combined choir.
Colossians
3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing
one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with
thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (ESV) That’s exactly what happened on
Thursday night. The five congregations that were represented joined together in
singing the liturgy (Divine Service 3 for my LCMS friends) and six very joyful
hymns, including several of my favorites.
I
love to sing, and the entire service filled me with joy. But the real joy didn’t
come from the music or the sermon or even from taking communion. The real joy
comes from knowing that my Savior lives and will return again one day, and that
I am with Him now and for all eternity.
Christ
is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
__________
The
image at the top of this post is Rembrandt’s “The Ascension,” painted as part
of a Passion Cycle commissioned by Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange. Oil paint
darkens over the years, so I lightened the image to show the detail better. It
is in the public domain because of its age.
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