Thankful that Jesus is ‘Head Over All Things to the Church’ – For ME!

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I communicated with friend Steve Arlow. Steve is a former member of St. John Lutheran Church but now lives elsewhere. We were trying to arrange for Steve to borrow my canoe. However, coordinating our schedules was a little bit of a challenge. After we finally worked out our plans, Steve’s text to me read, “Thanks Jonathan!!! Doesn’t sound like you’re retired!!!!” In truth, my granddaughter has also told me, “You FAILED retirement.” I could have responded to Steve in an offhand way, “I guess that’s just who I am. I like to be active, doing something worthwhile.”

But, are there times when it seems that the chores of one day lead to the responsibilities and the chores of the next day, with no end in sight? As we walk and work through our daily responsibilities, through our chores, through tasks which we might not even expect to face, we can become weary. Do we have the strength, the endurance, not just for today but also for the long-term future?

The truth is that we never are alone. God has showered all the blessings of heaven upon us (Ephesians 1:3). We have our Lord’s Word, God’s lamp to our feet a His light to our path. He comes to us through our baptisms and the Lord’s Supper, God’s gifts of love and forgiveness for our lives of faith. Our Lord provides fellowship and friendship through our brothers and sisters in His Church. Yet, even though our Lord provides all these tools and resources, there may still be times in the middle of our daily efforts that we can feel weary, lonely, or inadequate.

Please let me remind you of another way that our Lord is there for us, every day, for our good. Sometimes we forget the truth which God inspired Paul to write at the end of Ephesians 1. “God raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,” (Ephesians 1:20-22) Yes, Jesus died to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead to win eternal life for us in heaven, through faith. But, Jesus is not just with us for eternal life. He is also with us today.

Thursday, May 29 is Ascension Day for 2025. Forty days after Jesus rose, He ascended to heaven. (See Acts 1:1-11) As we confess in the Apostles’ or Nicene Creed each Sunday, Jesus “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” Jesus’ ascension is not just a fact of history. Jesus’ ascension is one of our Heavenly Father’s great gifts for His people. For times when we may feel weary, or when we feel lonely, or unable to face the daily chores of life, Jesus is head over all things for the church, for US! We don’t always understand what is happening in our world. But if we ask, “Where is God?”, Jesus is with us, in charge of everything, according to His wisdom, for the Church!!! What a comfort and strength!

I do not feel like I failed retirement. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue serving my Lord and sharing His word with others, while perhaps working less hours than I used to work. Still, there are times I can feel weary, or lonely, or inadequate. Please remember with me the truth of God’s grace from this Thursday, Ascension Day. Receive our Lord’s comfort and strength! Jesus is “head over all things to the church."