“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’”

Is. 57:15 ESV

The Lord Jesus, risen from the dead, has ascended into heaven to reign at the right hand of God. Truly He is high and lifted up; He dwells in the high and holy place. But this same Savior also has promised to be with His people always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20). Jesus dwells with those who are of a contrite and lowly spirit. He is with His people. He is with you.

This month, another “crop” of seminarians will graduate and head off to serve in Christ’s name in places all across the country and even around the world. They will find many joys. They also will meet with challenges, sorrows, sins, failures, weaknesses and dangers. As we all do. But the Lord Jesus is reigning over all things in heaven and on earth, from His exalted throne. And the Lord Jesus is with them, near to them in His Word and His Sacrament, wherever they go.

He is near to you as well. He dwells with those of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. His strength will never fail us. His mercies are new to us every morning. His gracious purposes will finally prevail. He will be our King and our Brother forever.

Let us live in this confidence day by day and fix our minds on eternal things. As St. Paul writes: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:1-2 ESV).

And as we pray in the Collect for the Ascension of our Lord: “Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”

Christ is reigning! Christ is with you! Thanks be to God!

Love in Christ,

Thomas Egger
President