Gospel Reflection for Sunday, May 17, 2026; Ascension

Ascension Readings: Acts 1.1-11; Ephesians 1.17-23; Matthew 28.16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Jesus came and said to them. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember that I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28.16-20).

Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize and teach his commands—clear purposes. Baptism is the lifegiving, cleansing action that welcomes believers into the new life of the risen Jesus, the life the Son shares with Father and Holy Spirit.

The risen Jesus calling his disciples back to a mountain in Galilee clues us what they are to teach—the new law he taught on this mountain at the beginning of his ministry. In this sermon Jesus insists he has come to fulfill, not abolish, the old law and prophets.

Jesus expects more than the law of Moses. Jesus teaches his disciples to reconcile their angers before bringing gifts to God, to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to love their enemies as well as their neighbors. He challenges his followers to be doers of his teachings in their lives (7.24).

Jesus teaches us a principle by which to judge our lives. What we do to the least—the hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, sick, and imprisoned—we do to him (Matthew 25.31-46). Today because Jesus’ first disciples fulfilled their commission and spread Jesus’ teachings, we have the challenge in our lives to be doers of his word.

• What sermon does your Christian life teach?