As God commanded the disciples, who were gazing into heaven, to continue and do what Jesus commanded them, so we too must not remain where God revealed something to us. We must continue and do what He has commanded us to do.

Many have brushed Ascension day aside as if it is not important. One reason might be that some of the other Christian holidays have been commercialized, like Christmas and Easter. Ascension day, however, only touches Christians, and so it is easier to be removed by the world from our calendar. But for us Christians, it is very important.

The chain of events starting with Jesus’ birth into this world, changed history and our lives. On Good Friday, we remember His death for us, where He washed our sins away. Each of these events should also take place in our hearts. Has Jesus been born in your heart? Have your sins been washed away? David says in the Psalms,

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

On resurrection day, we remember how Jesus overcame death and hell. In the same way Jesus gives us the power to live this resurrected life in victory over sin.

Do you know this resurrected life, or have you stopped at the death of Jesus? Does your Christian life revolve and end at a continual confessing of the same sin day after day without victory? We must know this resurrected life as well.

This separates Christianity from all other religions, because Jesus overcame death, ascended up to heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father in heaven. This is why the world wants to forget this day, for it reminds them of Jesus’ victory.

From Jesus’ ascension, we go to Pentecost, where Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all the truth. Are you led by the Holy Spirit, or are you filled with another spirit, or the flesh?

In John 14:1 – 3 Jesus says,

1 ¶ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Do we realize what this means, and do we comprehend it? The King of kings and Lord of lords is preparing a place for us! Who are we to deserve this? We don’t deserve it.

What are we doing for Him, while He prepares a place for us?

In Matt 25 we read of how the Lord entrusted each of his servants with His goods to trade therewith. Do you know what the Lord has entrusted to you, and expects from you? If not, you need to go on your knees, to hear what He requires of you for your life.
Once you know what He requires of you, are you doing it diligently, with all your heart, or is it a burden to you? The Lord might have given you something small to do, but because it’s not the responsible things others have to do, you neglect your duty. You neglect it, not because of humility, but pride. Some even hide their gift, lest others should notice it and ask them to use it in God’s Kingdom. But, when the Lord settled accounts with the unprofitable servant, He did not commend him for his humility, but sharply rebuked him for his wickedness and laziness. It is a great wickedness to know the Lord’s will and not to do it. For this wickedness the Lord commanded that servant to be bound hands and feet and thrown out into outer darkness. Are you of this wicked sort that are quite happy that the Lord prepares a place for you, but you are not prepared to lift a finger for Him?

There are others that are too busy with their own business and profit, and do not have time for the task God has given them. For their own gain they would gladly rise at 4:00 AM and work until 10:00 PM, but they do not have time for God’s work. They are worthless servants in the work of God. Yes, we need to work to live, but our priorities must always be right, focusing on the things of eternal value.

In Luke 12:42 and onwards we read of the servant that started to beat his fellow servants, because His Lord delayed His coming. Many live exactly such lives. They live as though they will live forever. In stead of being busy with the work their Lord has given them, they lash out at their fellow servants with their tongues for what they think they do wrong. Whenever another Christian tries to do something for the Lord, they criticize them. Our Lord has given us a task to complete together with our fellow Christians, and we need to work together with them and strengthen them to complete this task. What will our Lord do when He finds us busy fighting our fellow servants, in stead of doing His work? The Bible says that he will be beaten with many stripes that knew his Lord’s will and did not do it.