“Happy Ascension Day!”

“Happy Ascension Day!”(Eph.1:20-23).
The reason why some people join esoteric fraternities is the belief that through such fraternities they can possess supernatural powers. There is no doubt that such powets exist.
In African worldview there is the physical realm and the spiritual realm which is the realm of powers. Only a thin line seperates the spiritual from the physical. Every community is cursed or blessed with individuals who have the abilities to mingle in the spiritual realm where they can tap these powers and use them negatively or positively.
Those who practice witchcraft and sorcerers are those who use the powers negatively. Meanwhile the medicine men, bonehealers, herbalists and seers are those who use the powers to undo the evils perpetuated by sorcerers, and witches and wizards.
The African worldview is only slightly different from other worldviews. Universally the spiritual realm is understood to be inhabited by benevolent and malevolent spirits. The battle of good and evil in the physical is a re-enactment of what is going on in the spiritual realm. African religions like the religions of the world settles for the fact that good will triumph over evil, not matter how long evil may seem to be in lead. The triumph of evil is momentary.
For the Christians the ultimate triumph of good over evil is the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Forty days after his resurrection he was taken up to heaven where he has been given the highest seat of honour (right hand of God). He is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every title that can be given, not only for the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over every thing for the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
At a certain death celebration in my village I went to greet the compound head. As I entered the parlour and was looking for a seat, the chief priest of Voma who was with two other Voma priests beckoned me to come sit on an empty seat near him. He told me, “Pastor Fochang, come and sit near us. We are all priests, but you are a superior priest to us. You are the priest of the Most High God, while we are the priests of the gods of our land.” What a great testimony for the exalted Christ!
The exaltation of Jesus Christ with all things placed under his feet is a slap on the face of those who profess Christ and still go to seek power from other sources!
At the mention of the name of Jesus Christ every knee must bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Sorcerers, witches and wizards, esoteric fraternities and their sources of power within the spiritual realm are all subjected to Christ. Those who put their trust in the exalted Christ are like a mountain that cannot be moved. The Ascension of Christ to the highest place of honour means that he is enough for true believers. All other powers are powerless before him.
Ascension Day prayer: Holy Spirit strengthen my resolve to have unwavering trust in the exalted Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Happy and blessed Ascension day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.