I know
that I may be sounding like a traditionalist, or perhaps like the man, of whom Paul warned you in Colossians 2:16 “Let no one pass judgement on you in questions of food and drink , or
with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath…”.
People in
Colossae were defining religion by
what they ate and drank and by what sacred days they kept. I assure you
that I am not a
traditionalist, nor a legalist. I believe that Ascension Day is a profoundly Christ centered event, and as such, ought to be celebrated and remembered in the Christian church.
The fact is that this years' Ascension day will probably pass unnoticed by many Christians in the
world!
Namibia is one of the few countries in the world
that still has the Day of the Ascension listed as a public holiday. That is truly remarkable, particularly when
we remember that hardly anyone here
knows what ‘ascension’ means, let alone
what it’s theological significance might be.
Ascension
day is a Christ centered event.
- 40 days after the resurrection Christ left this earth in bodily form and ascended to be where He came from, at His Father’s right hand in heaven.
- From there He now rules and from there He intercedes for His people.
- From there He shall come again.
I lament
the fact that Christendom in general has forgotten this event. In terms of its theological significance can
we really say that, all things considered that the ascension of Christ is less
significant that the birth (incarnation)
of Christ? Surely not. It is an integral part of the person and work of Jesus the King.
We call
upon the church in Namibia (and worldwide) to recognize
Ascension Day by honouring it
with a public service of praise and thanksgiving.
We we commend our Namibian governing
authorities for upholding this
day as a public holiday. God bless Namibia!
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