The last important lesson - a time for everything *

NORSK
Most Bible-readers know that Luke wrote both a gospel and the book of Acts (1). The gospel ends with Jesus being taken up into heaven, while the Apostles' acts begin with the same event. There is full harmony between the two versions as the road between Jerusalem and Bethany crossed the Mount of Olives. The version of the event in Luke is very short, but I love the brief account:

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Luke 24:50-51

The last memory the disciples have of Jesus is that he raised his hands blessed them, and then he was taken up into heaven while he blessed his disciples. I think even that in this last event there is an important lesson:
"You are never closer to heaven than when you bless one another!"
 
Obviously, the last memory of what Jesus did, was an important example. And down through history disciples have followed his example. We bless because Jesus did it and we know why: It is because God's blessing, God's good word over us, is the best gift we can give and receive. Perhaps Jesus used the words all Jews knew, but maybe he made them personal: “I bless you and keep you; I make my face shine on you and am gracious to you; I turn my face toward you and give you peace” (2).

‘Manna’ for today:

I will lift up my hands and bless people!

Today I wish you a blessed celebration of the Ascension Day!
------------------------------------
(1) Both books are written to a man by the name Theophilus. My theory is that he was one of Paul’s converts in Rome.
(2) Numbers 6:24-26
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost 

Confident identity - a time for everything *

NORSK
Today, I feel very fortunate to be able to participate in a "Confirmation". It is our oldest grandson, Adam, who will be confirmed as loved by God and of us who appreciate him and love him as the good boy he has been and the great man he has become.

It is important for every individual to be confident in his identity. I believe that Jesus’s confidence in his identity made it possible for him was fulfill the mission he had come to accomplish. In the passage I have been studying in the past week, Jesus says:

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
John 16:28

He had just told the disciples that “the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God”. Through their faith in him, they had helped to confirm him. At the same time, Jesus knew that they would ‘be scattered, each to his own home and leave me all alone’ (2). They would therefore fail in the crucial moment.

• We seek confirmation from people around us, but people will not always be there for us.
• We seek confirmation in what we do, but we will not always be able to do what we want.
• We seek confirmation in what we have, but what we have can never confirm us as human beings.

Therefore, it becomes so important where I have my identity, and I want to have my identity in Christ. That is my greatest wish for Adam as well. Of course, I hope that he receives material gifts and provisions for what he needs every day; opportunities to be affirmed through exciting and challenging jobs; and not the least, that he will continue to be confirmed by people who love him. However, the only affirmation that comes with a durability guarantee is the confirmation in Christ.

‘Manna’ for today:

Where do I have my identity?

-----------------------------------
(1) Adam, you came as a blessing, have been a blessing and are a blessing. We pray God's continued blessings upon your life!

(2) John 16:32
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the ime between Easter and Pentecost  

Why me? - a time for everything *

NORSK
It has happened more than once that I have asked God: “Why me?”. The question has come both in gratefulness to the boundless mercy and blessings I have received, like expressed in Kris Kristofferson's song: ‘Why me Lord what have I ever done to deserve one of the pleasures I've known?’ (1). 

Other times, the question has come when I have felt the burden of the mission: “Why me?”. Sometimes both feelings are present at the same time, like in the challenge I believe the disciples experienced when Jesus had clarified the mission. They must have known both the blessing and the burden of the huge task Jesus was entrusting them, and maybe Jesus sensed their thoughts and the question “Why me?” and simply answered: Because:

You are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:48

I have witnessed that the gospel is true. I have witnessed that what Jesus did, brings salvation even today. To discover this is of course a great blessing, which I realise that I have not deserved. However, it makes me a witness, and with the status of a witness follows a responsibility: I have to share my experience with others.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am a witness of these things!

----------------------------------------
(1) Kris Kristoffersen - you can hear his own testimony and the song HERE
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost. 

A happiness created for rest - a time for everything *

NORSK
Before I leave the story about how Thomas recognized Jesus as risen from the dead, I will make yet another reflection. Thomas saw Jesus, and I think that he also recognized that Jesus had seen him, when he proclaimed:

“My Lord and my God!”

Jesus' response contains important teaching:

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:28-29  

Many attempts have been made to give a good definition of what it means to be ‘blessed’. When I experience a calm and restful happiness, I will define myself as blessed. I know that kind of happiness every time I sense that the Kingdom of God works in accordance with how the Bible says it should work.

When this happens, Jesus, who is not physically visible, becomes real and ‘visible’ in the presence this unique blessing. I do not see, but I still see with the eyes of faith, which confirm that what I see, is Jesus in action in my time. It gives me a happiness created for rest.

Today's 'manna':

I recognize Jesus in a happiness created for rest

--------------------------------------------
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 
 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.