If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
The Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost
The Ascension Day
40 days after resurrection and 10 days before Pentecostal day is believed as Ascension Day, the day on which Jesus ascended into heaven. Easter always falls on Sunday and Ascension Day falls on a Thursday. 40 is a significant number in the Bible. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before the exodus of Israelites from Egypt. Elijah was prepared for his transition during 40 days before he made his way to Mount Horeb. Jesus Himself spent 40 days in the wilderness for His preparation before start of His ministry.
We read in the Bible (Acts 1:1-3), Jesus spent 40 days after He was raised from dead with His disciples which are significant for Christian believers. It was the last moment Jesus spent with His disciples, but it turned out to be the time of preparation for a great transition that happened on the day of Pentecost. Jesus met, ate and spoke to them on different occasions. His meeting with the disciples signifies His assurance that He was alive. (Luke 24:39; John 20:27) and He had been teaching and instructing them about life in the Kingdom of God.
Luke wrote about the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:6-11,
“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
This is the greatest hope of all Christians. Just as Jesus went into heaven, so will all believers and our lives would never be the same again.
The Day of Pentecost
10 days after Jesus Ascension - the 50th day, seven weeks after Easter Sunday is celebrated as the Day of Pentecost. The day is considered as the last day of Easter celebration by the Eastern Christianity. As per the Jewish festivals, this is considered as a harvest festival, fifty days after the second day of Passover.
Then, how is Pentecost celebrated by Christians? Read Acts 2
After Jesus’ Ascension, His disciples and followers gathered in Jerusalem and they were all in one accord in prayer and supplication in the upper room. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." The multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. So, they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others were mocking and said, “They are full of new wine.”
Here we saw Peter proceeded to preach his first sermon, explained to the crowd who Jesus was and the significance of what had happened to Him. He called on them to repent and turn to Jesus for salvation. That day witnessed 3,000 people believed and were saved and these believers in Jerusalem on that historic day were the “first fruits” of the great harvest.
In Exodus 32:22, we read "Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the first fruits of the wheat harvest, ... "
Matthew 9:38, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Lessons for us
1. We are called to be together, united in one mind, spirit and in action like the disciples
2. The harvest is plenty and we are dared to share the gospel because without evangelization, we can’t pick up harvest. We need to do our best.
3. The day of Pentecost is the reminder for follow up to be done by us as Jesus called us to proclaim the gospel before He was ascended into heaven.
Don’t be anxious! Be a harvester! God is with us.
The significant 50 days after resurrection of Christ
For believers, Easter is not just a single day but an extended season of 50 days feast, begins at sunset on the eve of Easter and ends with Pentecost, where we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church (Acts 2).
“Christianity is in its very essence a resurrection religion”, says Dr. John Stott. So, Easter season is more than an extended celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
What’s the significance of these 50 days’ celebration?
After His resurrection, Jesus spent forty days on earth (Acts 1:4) meeting people sharing about Kingdom of God before he ascended into heaven.
1. Mary Magdalene and the three women
2. Simon Peter and the two men on the way to Emmaus
3. The disciples at different occasions
Then there were ten more days after that before the Day of Pentecost. Jesus gave them this command:
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. “Acts 1:4
“… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus finally led to the birth of the Church and its mission on the day of Pentecost.
What is the message for us during this season?
“…He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.”
Mathew 28: 6,7
“Come & See and Go & Tell”
Easter – from Anxiety to Amazement to Acquire Peace and Joy!
His disciples, followers, family and friends were too afraid to do anything.
“The women were shaking and confused. They went out and ran away from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” Mark 16:8
The guards were so afraid of Him that they shook and became like dead men. Matthew 28:4
So, the women hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid, but they were filled with joy. Matthew 28:8
Looking at the death of Jesus, His disciples, followers, family and friends, believed that is the end and went to the tomb on the third day with spices and perfumes for His body forgetting His promise that he would rise from dead.
The empty tomb gives us HOPE, LOVE and LIFE. Isn’t it wonderful?
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25).
The Call on Easter Sunday - Look at Saviour’s Sacrifice and believe in His Glorious resurrection.
May our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ bring us love, hope, peace and life.
Maundy Thursday – why do we observe it?
1. On this day, we could see the very basic foundation of Christian life. “LOVE” reached a new standard. Jesus changed the definition of love where He gave a new commandment to the disciples.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34)
2. Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy communion to remember His broken body and His shed blood.
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”. (Luke 22:19,20)
3. By reflecting upon this action of Jesus where He showed them the humility by washing their feet, we remember the selfless sacrifice of Jesus and we are called to lead a servant leadership.
“So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13: 4,5)
Every year, we recollect the events happened, the last supper, His heartfelt prayer at Gethsemane and the betrayal of Judas.
But do we observe these commandments or do we just remember the events happened year after year?
Palm Sunday – from Significance to Success
Palm Sunday is remembered as a day to mark Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the enthusiastic crowds were greeting by waving palm branches. It’s mentioned in the four gospels and also the beginning of the holy week. The palm branches symbolize the ones placed in front of Christ as he entered Jerusalem in a colt.
The coming of Zion’s King is prophesied by Zechariah in his book. (9:9)
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your King comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!". (Matthew 21: 9)
The Significance
1. The palm branch symbolizes victory i.e. the final victory of Jesus on the cross and our surrender to God
2. The donkey symbolizes humility & peace and reminds us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace
3. "Hosanna!" means hailing Christ as King
The Success
Palm Sunday reminds us the reign of Christ and His ultimate sacrifice for mankind. Those who greeted Him were convinced that He was the Messiah. He didn’t come into this world to set up a new political system, instead He came to change our hearts and save us from our sins by His death and resurrection. As we remember the significance of Palm Sunday, let us not forget that we are nothing more than redeemed sinners and that is the success of the Palm Sunday.
Where are we on this Palm Sunday? With the disciples who welcomed Him or the cynical crowd?
Did we wave the palms to move our hearts to prepare for Jesus’ return?
The Power of Prayer (to contemplate during Lenten Season)
"Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him." — St. Augustine
This season is considered as a time of deepening our relationship with God. Prayer is believed to be one of the pillars of Lent during the 40-day journey where repentance and renewal is emphasized. The prayer doesn’t stop here but it’s seen as a way to connect with God constantly and reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. It's a time for self-reflection as well in order to make our lives with God's will.
Praying for others is an emotional support and help for our loved ones during their difficult times and at times of their dire needs. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ It’s one way of giving i.e., giving our precious time for others. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2. As we pray, nothing should be expected in return. God will definitely take care of our needs as well. Prayer is a kind of ministry, where we are strengthened in God. So, it need not be done for recognition.
When we pray for others, our relationship with God become closer and we become humble and selfless.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
We understand that Lent is a time for prayer and reflection. During this season, we pray for God's mercy and guidance as they strengthen our relationship with Him.
Let’s walk through this season removing all distractions that take away God’s glory so that we experience God’s goodness and mercy in new ways.
Lenten Season –Why do we observe?
Is there a Spiritual Connection?
This year, we start this season from February 14, Ash Wednesday and it ends on March 30, Holy Saturday. The last week of the season is observed as Holy Week starting from Palm Sunday until Holy Saturday. The 40-day period before Easter is a reminder of the events leading to and magnitude of Jesus's sacrifice. Apart from fasting, prayer and abstaining from some foods and luxuries, some use this time for introspection, repentance, and spiritual growth.
So, how can we truly engage ourselves during this season?
1. Engage in thoughtful fasting. Apart from fasting from all food once a week or daily, consider fasting from social media, fasting from some bad behaviours such as complaining, anger, rude, being selfish, disobedience, impoliteness and so on.
2. Evolve a new practice. Fasting is good. As we miss out some meals or abstain specific foods, try to start a new practice daily like showing an act of kindness to some needy, evangelising to new community, praying for specific needs – country, Church or some known community and meditating on the word of God.
3. Engross in conventions, spiritual meetings and bible studies conducted by Churches during this season to deepen our connection with God and to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.
Above all, bring your own creativity to reflect and rejuvenate during this season. That will be a perfect preparation for the big celebration of Resurrection Day.