The New Testament shows us how the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem “fulfills,” that is, it “fills fuller” the meaning of Pentecost at Mount Sinai. And how wonderful are the blessings of Pentecost! The Holy Spirit was—and continues to be—poured out on God’s people who turn to him and open themselves to receive all that he has for us.

Next Thursday is Ascension Day, a major—though often neglected—feast day of the Christian year. Cynics make much of the fact that we modern folk have learned that heaven is not up above the sky. But Jesus ascended, not because heaven is literally “up there,” but because doing so communicated to his followers that he was leaving them for good, that he was returning to his Father in heaven. If he had simply disappeared one more time, they would have been left wondering, “Well, when do you think he’ll come back again?” But because he left in such a different and dramatic way, he left no doubt in his followers’ minds that this was his final farewell. And by ascending, he left no doubt that he was returning to his heavenly Father.

At his Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. Footwashing was viewed as a humiliating, degrading task, done by the lowest ranking servant. And so his action was completely unexpected, even perplexing to his disciples.

Surrendering to the Lord means we cannot say, “I’ll serve you, Jesus, as long as I get to…” Nor can we say, “I’ll serve you, Jesus, as long as I don’t have to…” God isn’t interested in negotiating a discipleship contract with us, in which he makes us an offer and we have our people get back to his people with a counter offer. God is only interested in our unconditional surrender.

If we don’t appreciate what God has done for us, how can we love him? If we don’t hold continually acknowledge how much we needed God’s mercy and how lavishly he has given it—then how can we be give testimony to God’s goodness?