The Saturday after the Festival of the Ascension of our Lord
Posted on May 16, 2026 by under
Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21 (NKJV)
3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Devotion
At the Ascension of our Lord the Apostles were eager for the Lord Jesus to restore the kingdom to Israel. They looked forward to when the Lord Jesus would reign on earth. They had their minds set on spiritual things, on eternal things. St. Paul in his Epistle the Church at Philippi exhorts the Philippians to also set their minds on spiritual things, for our citizenship is in heaven.
The earthly minded people make their belly their god. They are consumed with the things of this life. Where to build a house? Here on earth. Where to establish fame and power? Here on earth. Where to establish a business? Here on earth. Where to get glory, or be rich? Again, here on earth. Their whole energy is focused on this life, never giving thought to the life of the world to come. They have forgotten that our citizenship is in heaven.
Our Lord Jesus has ascended to the right hand of the Father, to sit upon His throne in order that He might rule an eternal kingdom. This is why we, like the Apostles, eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus, to come again. We wait eagerly for Him to restore the kingdom to the true Israel, all those who cling to Him in faith. This will not be an earthly, temporal kingdom, but will be an eternal kingdom where we will be joined with all the citizens of heaven forever in the new heaven and new earth.
Collect: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to have ascended into the heavens, so may we also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with Him continually dwell; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
