“Happy Ascension Day!”

“Happy Ascension Day!”(Mt.26:16-20).
I recall this Nigerian comedy skit: A man was driving in a Peugeot 404 long booth. He was stopped at a control and asked for his papers. He presented all his documents. The police officers were bent on having a tip, so one asked him why he was driving a nine-seater car alone? The man said he was not alone as he had the Blessed Holy Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, and many other saints in the car. The policeman decided to charge him for overloading.
There is a sense in which Christ is always with us, but quite often, we stuff our hearts with other protectors apart from Christ alone who has assured us: “… surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”
Today, we commemorate the ascension into heaven of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We are not orphaned by his departure, and we are not wards under any trustee or benefactor. Christ is with us! Christ walks with us every day of our lives until our travelling days are done!
His last testament to us – as priesthood of all believers – is to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything…” he has commanded us.
This great commission is about discipling the nations and teaching them the word of God as commanded by Christ. There is no doubt that underlying every moral or social crisis or any kind of crisis, underlying it is a spiritual crisis!
When Christ returns, our posterity will witness against us for being part of the reason for the deterioration through our connivance with evil or through our silence!
The worst evil perpetuated in any community is not what evil people do, but the silence of good people who fold their hands and do nothing! Posterity can never be kind to such people!
Christ has emboldened us, and we do not need to cry out, “Lord, where are you?” He says he will be with us until our travelling days are done.
Do not doubt the continuous presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has assured us: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” to all the world!(cf Acts 1:1-11).
Witnessing to Christ is not mere rhetorics! Witnessing
for Christ is by word and deed!
Christ’s ascension means nothing if his teaching has no bearing upon our lives and we are not his true ambassadors in word and deed!
Ascension Day prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, guide us through your Holy Spirit to be veritable ambassadors who sincerely represent you in word and deed. Amen!
Have a blessed Ascension Day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
14/05/2026.