Day 2: The Ascending and Descending Christ

Reading: Ephesians 4:7-10

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift[a] through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say,

“When he ascended to the heights,
    he led a crowd of captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b]

 9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.[c] 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

Footnotes

[a] 4:7 Greek a grace.
[b] 4:8 Ps 68:18.
[c] 4:9 Some manuscripts read to the lower parts of the earth.

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Devotional:
Christ descended into our world, walked among us, and then ascended so that his Spirit could be present everywhere at once. This is not a small truth. It means that Jesus is not confined to a church building or a Sunday morning hour. He is with you at work, at home, in traffic, in grief, and in celebration. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is accessible to you at every moment of every day. Walking in step with Jesus is not a scheduled appointment. It is a continuous, living relationship available without interruption. You never have to walk alone.

Are there areas of your daily life where you have not been inviting Jesus to walk with you?

Choose one routine daily activity and use it as a deliberate moment to acknowledge the presence of Christ with you.