Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 93

God’s Eternal Reign

Prologue

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach^{(A) 2} until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.^{(B) 3} After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.^(C)

The Holy Spirit Promised

⁴ While He was together^[a] with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise.^(D) “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”^(E)

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.^{(F) 8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends^[b] of the earth.”^(G)

The Ascension

⁹ After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.^{(H) 11} They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”^(I)

Psalm 47

God Our King

For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah.

Psalm 93

God’s Eternal Reign

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

¹⁵ This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^[a] would give you a spirit^[b](A) of wisdom and revelation^(B) in the knowledge of Him. ¹⁸ I pray that the perception of your mind^[c] may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope^(C) of His calling,^(D) what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power^(E) to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

God’s Power in Christ

²⁰ He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand^(F) in the heavens^(G)— ²¹ far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,^[d](H) not only in this age but also in the one to come.^{(I) 22} And He put everything under His feet^(J)[e] and appointed Him as head^(K) over everything for the church, ²³ which is His body,^(L) the fullness^(M) of the One who fills all things^(N) in every way.

⁴⁴ Then He told them, “These are My words^(A) that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets,^(B) and the Psalms^(C) must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then He opened their minds^(D) to understand^(E) the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He also said to them, “This is what is written:^[a] The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day,^{(F) 47} and repentance for^[b] forgiveness of sins^(G) would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations,^(H) beginning at Jerusalem.^{(I) 48} You are witnesses^(J) of these things. ⁴⁹ And look, I am sending you^[c] what My Father promised.^(K) As for you, stay in the city^[d] until you are empowered^[e](L) from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ Then He led them out as far as Bethany,^(M) and lifting up His hands^(N) He blessed them. ⁵¹ And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.^{(O) 52} After worshiping Him,^(P) they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.^{(Q) 53} And they were continually in the temple complex praising God.^[f](R)