Week 7: Ascension

Grow Up

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Anyone with kids of any age has heard this question a thousand times. It starts way younger than I ever imagined. When they were toddlers, my son and daughter constantly asked each other what they wanted to be when they grew up. My daughter always wanted to be an animal doctor, and my son always wanted to be a proctologist, although that’s not what he called it. I can still remember him laughing at his funny joke.

Of course, they change their mind about what they want to be every day. I keep reminding them that, at some point, they have to pick one and go with it. I’m hoping my advice pays off later in life!

In today’s reading from Ephesians, Paul encourages the church to grow up into the “mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” He specifically encourages the church not to be so wishy-washy about who they are becoming. He tells them that infants are tossed around and can’t decide who they want to be when they grow up, but not God’s people. Those who belong to Jesus know who they want to be when they grow up. They want to be like the ascended Jesus, like the head of the church. There are three points in today’s reading I want you to take note of.

First, notice the passage's connection between Jesus' ascension and his gift-giving. It appears his ascension to the throne allows him to pour out grace gifts upon our lives.

Second, notice what gifts Jesus gives to the church. Notice what role or function these gifts play in being Gospel formed. How is this different than the way we often think about these gifts?

Finally, notice the role that love plays in our maturation and unity. How does love contribute to our formation?

Pray today that God will help you better understand his giftedness for you and those in your church.