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Reflections by the Artist
S. Jewell S. McGhee 4-4-10
Christ has risen from the dead! The Lamb who died now sits on the throne. There is cosmic and eternal significance in Christ's ascension. His enthronement is the establishment of his universal kingdom. It is the beginning of a new era, the beginning of the new creation. Hallelujah! "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light! On those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned!" (Is 9:2, Matt 4:16)
"I will turn the darkness before them into light," God promises through the prophet Isaiah (42:16). And Jesus says of himself in John 8, "I am the light of the world whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
We have access to the face of God, the face that Moses, after seeing the back of which, had to hide his face behind a veil, whose countenance turned Jesus very clothes to lightening white. This face of God had been hidden from us after our sin in the garden, put behind a literal curtain and guarded by fierce cherubim with flaming swords.
But rejoice! Our worship is no longer obstructed, Christ's death has torn the veil, and Christ's ascension has given us access into the very throne room of heaven. Through Christ we are able to whisper into the ear of the king of heaven. Our risen savior is the perfect human who leads us in perfect worship of our God. Let us not forget how great this privilege is that we have been granted. Nor let us forget the great debt we owe to Christ who was willing to die to make it possible.
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Ps 16:9-11
S. Jewell S. McGhee 4-4-10
Christ has risen from the dead! The Lamb who died now sits on the throne. There is cosmic and eternal significance in Christ's ascension. His enthronement is the establishment of his universal kingdom. It is the beginning of a new era, the beginning of the new creation. Hallelujah! "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light! On those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned!" (Is 9:2, Matt 4:16)
"I will turn the darkness before them into light," God promises through the prophet Isaiah (42:16). And Jesus says of himself in John 8, "I am the light of the world whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
We have access to the face of God, the face that Moses, after seeing the back of which, had to hide his face behind a veil, whose countenance turned Jesus very clothes to lightening white. This face of God had been hidden from us after our sin in the garden, put behind a literal curtain and guarded by fierce cherubim with flaming swords.
But rejoice! Our worship is no longer obstructed, Christ's death has torn the veil, and Christ's ascension has given us access into the very throne room of heaven. Through Christ we are able to whisper into the ear of the king of heaven. Our risen savior is the perfect human who leads us in perfect worship of our God. Let us not forget how great this privilege is that we have been granted. Nor let us forget the great debt we owe to Christ who was willing to die to make it possible.
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Ps 16:9-11
