Today we officially “close” the Easter season. Yet, in all our preaching and teaching…in all our worship services we never stop proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ rising from the dead is the heartbeat of our faith. St. Paul stresses: “…if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is pointless, and your faith is pointless too… But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 20).
This past Thursday, the Christian Church officially celebrated our Savior’s ascension into heaven. Although Jesus has removed His visible presence from us, He is still with us personally until “the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus has promised to send the Holy Spirit, which we remember especially as Pentecost approaches. Today, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit through His word and sacraments to carry out His Great Commission. We hear our Savior prayer for His believers as they carry out His will to witness Him to all.