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BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY BLOG@ Rhythms of Grace: a Journey into RestSustenance for the journey into rest and peace
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NEW SERIES: BRINGING HOME THE FEAST  Tomorrow, people from around the world will tune in to watch our new king being crowned. It’s reported to be a pared-down event, but no doubt will still exude copious amounts of pomp and ceremony. However, whatever its splendour, it pales into insignificance besides the event that millions of Christians will commemorate in a couple of weeks: the crowning of the King of Kings. Sitting on top of the wonderfully named ‘Dancing Green Hill’ recently, looking down on the Northumbrian coast and surrounding countryside, I was reminded of these verses from Ephesians: …He raised (Christ) from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. [Ephesians 1:20-21 NKJV] This is what we celebrate on Ascension Day: not only has Christ been raised from the dead, but He has been installed in the place of absolute authority at the right hand of the Father. We live in a very sick world, and are ever-conscious of the darkness which surrounds us—and so often it seems as if the Evil One is having a field day. But this event reminds us there isn’t an equal battle between evil and good taking place, and the outcome isn’t uncertain. Jesus has already won the day! TAKE TIME TO REFLECT… Why not make time before Ascension Day (18th May) to meditate on the following verses: …Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him. [1 Peter 3:22] When You ascended on high, You took many captives; You received gifts from people, even from the rebellious… [Psalm 68:18] The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for Your feet’… The Lord will extend Your mighty sceptre from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of Your enemies!’… The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek.’ [Psalm 110:1-2,4] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [Hebrews 4:14] …the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. [1 Corinthians 15:25] Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, hat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Philippians 2:9-11] Jesus has been exalted and enthroned at the right hand of God the Father, far above every principality and power. Let's worship Him! TAKE TIME TO DECLARE We read in the account of Jesus’ ascension that… …the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. [Matthew 28: 16] Why not celebrate Jesus’ Ascension by climbing to the highest point in your area? From earliest times, hill tops and mountains have been places of importance for military and sacred use. High places were thought to be the seats of the gods, and so were places of worship; they were also coveted places of military occupation, presenting strategic power over the surrounding area. In the area we live there are the remains of many iron-age hill-forts, stone circles (which were probably sites for pagan worship—although nobody really knows) and places (like the hill mentioned above) which in local folklore was the chosen place of party for the faerie world! Hill-tops and mountains may not have the same significance for most people today, but their prophetic symbolism is still powerful. When we’re out and about on the ‘high places’ of our locality—whether in tall buildings, or on mountain tops—we can deliberately, and with faith, declare the truth: Jesus is Lord over this place, and all I can see... Let’s declare over our lives, our families and our circumstances that Jesus is Lord—and let’s declare over our locality that no matter what has gone on in the past--or present—Jesus is Lord! And that there is no power of darkness, no human wickedness, no historical practice, and no national crisis that can stand against Him and the fulfilment of His purposes. Christ is on His victory march and the gates of hell have not, and will not, hold out against Him. Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory. [Psalm 24: 7-10] THIS WEEK’S GRACE RHYTHM:
NEXT WEEK: CELEBRATING THE ASCENSION PART 2 Blessings from High Places NOW IT’S YOUR TURN...
[Photo credit: Pro Church Media (crown); Adam Solomon (neon sign) @ Unsplash, with thanks]
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