Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-161I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8Therefore it says,
"When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men."
9(In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,] 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
“See the footprint of Jesus!” That’s what the lady said who sat inside the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives. In a small square outlined by bricks, some say the actual footprint made by Jesus as He went up into heaven can be seen. Truthfully I didn’t see anything, but it did make me think about the Ascension of Our Lord and what that means to us.
Whether or not Jesus left his mark upon that piece of stone is not as important as the mark He has left upon this world and upon those who serve him. And one of the greatest marks left by Christ is His Church. Paul reminds us that when Jesus left this world He did not leave without a witness. We are living testimonies to His continuing impact. Although seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus still carries out his ministry through us.
In order that we might do His work in our world, Jesus from His ascended position pours out spiritual gifts upon His people. Each of us has received some gift from Him in order that we might leave our mark for him upon the lives of those we meet. Let us continue to use our gifts until “we grow up in every way, into Christ who is the head,” of the Body.
Question: What gifts do I have? How can I better use them?
Prayer: Ascended Lord, use me to make a mark. Amen.
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