HOPE ASCENDING

A new devotional “Hope Ascending” considering the the events of Ascension Day and how the disciples were transformed.

THOUGHT: 

Ascension Island – “the island where nothing makes sense.”  This particular island was discovered in the early 1800’s when looking for an island to imprison Napoleon Bonaparte. Apparently, he was known as a sort of escape artist and the government was searching for a place that was barren and at least “challenging” in terms of escape. Ultimately, another infamous island was chosen, but the story of Ascension Island (named thusly because it was discovered on the Day of Ascension) had begun.

Initially, it was described as a barren wasteland made of volcanic rock and with virtually no indigenous fauna or flora. For most of its existence, it was a desperate place. It was not until the mid-late 1800’s, that it was decided to design an “ecological experiment”. A botanist, Joseph Hooker, took it under his environmental auspices to vegetate the land, trap what little fresh water was available, and attempt to make it a viable option for inhabitance.

This is when the first step began – the terraforming of Green Mountain (Ascension Island). Over the years, the island was literally “transformed” into a lush, viable, and thriving environment of flora and fauna. In the pictures, you will note the vast difference between what a volcanic rock island would look like compared to the beauty of the present-day Ascension Island.

This Sunday, May 29, we will honor and recognize Ascension Day in the church, marking the day on which Jesus ascended into Heaven after His Earthly Ministry. As I reflected upon this incredibly special day, I was reminded of the antithetical nature of the event.

Initially, it must have been frightening and confusing to the disciples. They had already survived the trauma of the crucifixion, expecting they would never see Jesus again. Then, He rose from the dead and appeared to them in at least a few situations. Their hearts and spirits were thrown into an acute sadness and disappointment with his death and then when the resurrection occurred, they were flung back to an indescribable JOY! Just as they were finding their balance again, Jesus announces He was leaving again, never to return to His earthly form. In addition to this, He left them with the instructional responsibility, and some may argue, the burden, of spreading the Good News throughout the earth. WOW! Talk about a roller coaster ride!

The disciples were ultimately brought to a point in which they may have experienced the trauma of a feeling of abandonment. At that point, is when they experienced the HOPE of the situation. In a moment when we think we are devoid of any joy, we are striving for something or someone to hold onto. We are searching to move from a feeling of darkness to a validation of life and possibilities. Can you just imagine what they saw during the Ascension? Scripture tells us:

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” -Acts 1:9-11-

Jesus was leaving, but He was also giving them the hope they needed. In paraphrase, He was giving them the sad news of their Savior leaving, but…was also promising that He would return! As He ascended, joy was also rising! Hope was ascending! The promise of His return and eternal life was rising! He was figuratively rising from His earthly death into a state of resurrection – from a state of volcanic rock to a state of lush and luxuriant forests and greenery. He was symbolically rising from a state of drought to a state of refreshing living waters.

I find it so interesting that a dry and worthless island could be altered to be an abundance of water and subsequent forests.  Supposedly it was because of the day the island was discovered that it received the moniker of “Ascension” island. Yet, after the metamorphosis took place, I propose to you a more symbolic representation of the name. It seems as if the island was demonstrating the potentiality of the future. It possessed an altered state of newness, of freshness, and most of all………JOY!

When we are down, when we are in the throes of despair, the Ascension will bring us hope. When Jesus ascended, hope ascended. When eternal changes occurred, joy rose up! Be hopeful Pilgrim, hope is ascending.

PRAYER:

Dearest Jesus, our eternal Savior, help us to experience your Ascension. Help us to lift ourselves up with the promise you left with the disciples. Help us realize the joy of eternal life, far beyond our earthly problems. AMEN.

ENJOYED HOPE ASCENDING?

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