What Does Ascension Day Mean for Us?

    This week we will celebrate Ascension Day at Woodstock Christian School. Actually, celebrate may be an overstatement as this day does not take on the same dimensions as other Christian holidays in our calendar. But should it? As we, at WCS, are guided this year by the words of this year's theme chapter - Ephesians 4 - we are reminded of the importance of Jesus' ascension. 
    Paul writes: As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people." 
    (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-13, NIV)
    Jesus, our ascended Lord, fills the whole universe. Jesus is KING! He has ascended and is enthroned. Great glory, splendor, majesty, and goodness come from Him - it is who He is. EVERYTHING is under His rule and authority. Grasp the impact. We can know that whatever is going on in our lives, Jesus has power over it. Difficulties, trials, temptations, heartbreaks, illnesses, persecutions…whatever name it goes by, Jesus' name is greater. 
    We have been saved by grace to serve. The Holy Spirit equips us, and our children, to serve. As Christ ascended, we are tasked to be his hands and feet and heart, to love, to serve, to transform the spaces and relationships within which we live and work. Ascension Day illustrates that God is Greater!

                            C. Verbeek, Principal