Sunday Reflection – Ascension Sunday, May 21, 2023

May 20, 2023May 20, 2023 / thebarefootevangelist / Leave a comment

Jesus offers prayer

John 17 After Jesus had finished speaking to his disciples, he looked up toward heaven and prayed:

Father, the time has come for you to bring glory to your Son, in order that he may bring glory to you. ²And you gave him power over all people, so he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. ³ Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. ⁴I have brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you gave me to do. ⁵Now, Father, give me back the glory I had with you before the world was created.

⁶You have given me some followers from this world, and I have shown them what you are like. They were yours, but you gave them to me, and they have obeyed you. ⁷They know that you gave me everything I have. ⁸I told my followers what you told me, and they accepted it. They know I came from you, and they believe you are the one who sent me. ⁹I am praying for them, but not for those who belong to this world. My followers belong to you, and I am praying for them. ¹⁰All I have is yours, and all you have is mine, and they will bring glory to me.

¹¹Holy Father, I am no longer in the world. I am coming to you, but my followers are still in the world. So keep them safe by the power of the name you have given me. Then they will be one with each other, just as you and I are one.

Kids Korner: Jesus Leaves (May 21st)

May 20, 2023May 20, 2023 / thebarefootevangelist / Leave a comment

Read Luke 24:44-53 with your family.

Remember back to Good Friday, how sad everyone was that Jesus had died? Jesus came back Easter morning and everyone was shocked. Then they started getting used to Jesus appearing to his closest followers and they were happy again.

This week we hear about Jesus leaving for good, but this time his closest followers were not sad. This time Jesus had spent 40 extra days teaching them all about how God wanted to change the world, and this time they listened.

All of Jesus’ friends and followers knew that death was not the end, that God loved them very much, and that they now had the responsibility to share that with everyone. This time the disciples were ready to say in public “We believe in Jesus Christ!”.

Sunday Reflection, Ascension – May 29, 2022

May 28, 2022 / thebarefootevangelist / Leave a comment

Jesus Returns To Heaven

⁴⁴Jesus said to them, “While I was still with you, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Books of the Prophets, and in the Psalms had to happen.”

⁴⁵Then he helped them understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶He told them:

The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. ⁴⁷They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, ⁴⁸you must tell everything that has happened. ⁴⁹ I will send you the one my Father has promised, but you must stay in the city until you are given power from heaven.

⁵⁰ Jesus led his disciples out to Bethany, where he raised his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹As he was doing this, he left and was taken up to heaven.⁵²After his disciples had worshiped him, they returned to Jerusalem and were very happy. ⁵³They spent their time in the temple, praising God.