Pentecost comes after Easter, but in between these two holy days there is still Ascension Day. ’Tis the season when God’s good plan for humankind makes great leaps. The divine services in May show where all this leads.
They were disappointed and frightened. They had been on a big mission and were now heading back to their village and their everyday lives when a third man joined them. He listened to them and accompanied them part of the way. What the disciples experienced on their way to Emmaus is the prime example of a pastoral care visit.
This encounter is also the archetype of divine service, because this is exactly what the man did whom they did not recognise at first. He explained the Scriptures to them and celebrated the meal with them which He Himself had instituted. In the end, they returned to Jerusalem, strengthened and optimistic.
The disciples of Emmaus did not encounter the man Jesus, but the risen Christ. And that is exactly what we can experience today: the grace, comfort, love, and peace of the Risen One. This is what the divine service on the first Sunday in May is all about.
Singing is just a beginning
“Praise the Lord, O my soul!” This not only applies to the Creator of heaven and earth. It applies above all to the Maker of the new creation, who laid the foundation for a new life and a new world with His resurrection. The second Sunday in May is all about the various forms of gratitude.
Singing songs of praise is one thing. The best praise of the Master is still the work itself. If you want to thank Jesus Christ, the best way is to put His goals into practise in everyday life and show kindness and love to your neighbour, and forgive, and help the weak and the poor. Then you will also pray for the salvation of both the living and the dead.
The resurrection has a positive impact already now
“I know that my Saviour lives.” This is what Job was able to say despite all his suffering and despair after struggling with himself. He was sure that his Saviour would have the last word. And at that time Jesus’ resurrection was still in the future.
How good it is for those who can look back on the resurrection. The Saviour lives, that means: He rules, He builds the kingdom of God. People no longer need to despair at the lack of love and injustice. Because in the end, the good will have the last word. This is what the fourth Sunday service in May will focus on.
The dawn of a new era
The end of one development is the beginning of another: the disciples had received the commission to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. That is why the Lord announced the Holy Spirit to the disciples while He was still on earth and told them that the Spirit would help them.
A new phase had dawned, the era of the church: salvation could be imparted to human beings through word and sacrament. The living and the dead could prepare for the return of Christ. The fourth Sunday in May will explain what the Holy Spirit does.
Close to heaven
Before He could come back, He first had to leave. The ascension of Jesus is a further intermediate step in God’s great plan to lead human beings into glory. The Ascension Day service, a midweek service at the end of May, demonstrates this.
In order to experience their own ascension, believers must cast off all ballast that could separate them from God. Jesus knows that no one can achieve this on their own. That is why He will come to meet us and help us bridge the gap that still separates us from the kingdom of God.
Photo: fran_kie – stock.adobe.com