The Ascension of Christ is more than just another event, another miracle, in the life and ministry of Jesus. It contains the authoritative framework whereby we have assurances of God’s promises. One of those assurances He gives us is the ability to do His will here until He returns. We call these Spiritual Gifts, and every born-again believer has been given at least one. Now you are capable of doing the very things God created you to do, and it is all through His power.

The Ascension of Christ is more than just another event, another miracle, in the life and ministry of Jesus. It contains the authoritative framework whereby we have assurances of God’s promises. One of those assurances He gives us is the reality of our own salvation, our own soon-coming deliverance. Because Jesus died, was buried, came to life again, and ascended into heaven, I can know for sure that He will return again to take me home in victory and triumph.

Your identity and your value cannot be determined by the achievements in your life – and thankfully, neither your identity nor your value is defined by your past mistakes. Leah, Rachel, and these other moms are struggling with that very issue. If they only knew then what you know now: that your identity is in Christ, thus your value and worth are determined by Him and what He declares concerning you.

The Bible mentions 4 moms to Jacob’s children. You know, although the Bible, and the Old Testament specifically, records occurrences of polygamy, the Bible never condones nor promotes the practice. In fact, in every instance, multiple spouses is a recipe for disaster. In Jacob’s case, it makes for a highly competitive and highly dysfunctional family. And each woman is trying to find her identity through that mess.

After the disciples were convinced that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, they may have forgotten about those times that He told them He was going away and both what and how they were to keep on going. His ascension was an abrupt reminder that He really was going away and would thus send the Holy Spirit. His ascension brought their duty to the Great Commission to the forefront.

Luke’s Gospel ends with the Great Commission and the Ascension of Christ into Heaven; his next Book, the Acts of the Apostles, begins with the Great Commission and the Ascension of Christ into Heaven. It is a “hinge event” that connects the teachings of the Gospels with the disciples living out what Jesus had taught them even though He is gone from their presence. So, now, while we await His return, we find ourselves still trying to fulfill the Great Commission.

Jacob was the swindler who got swindled. He thought he’d worked those 7 years for Rachel, the woman he fell in love with at first sight. Yet he was tricked into marrying Leah. In this one passage, and for chapters that follow, you find a man who is both happy in his marriage and unhappy in his marriage. And from such a unique perspective, we can learn lessons for our homes today.

The story of Jacob’s life never seems to follow a straight line. Many of the twists and turns are of his own making – he is the usurper after all. And when it comes to his marriage, his love relationship with the beautiful Rachel, it’s just as up and down. From the moment he lays eyes on her, he is smitten, but he won’t get to be with her for another 14 years. Why? Let’s explore his story together.