Ascension of Jesus

This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven . . . Ascension of Jesus

When we think of the ascension of Jesus, we often think about how marvelous it must have been to see him whisked away into the sky, heralded by angels and looked upon with awe by the apostles.   We focus, in other words, on his act of ascending.   But what is even more important is everything that happened after Jesus ascended.   Let’s take a look.

First, the ascended Lord took up his throne as King over all of creation.   Paul tells us that Jesus is “far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come”.   Everything must submit to his gospel of mercy and redemption.

Second, Jesus “has passed through the heavens” as a “high priest” who has been “tested in every way, yet without sin”.   This means that we can now “approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace” for all our needs.   We don’t have to be afraid of him.

Third, by ascending, Jesus opened the door for the Holy Spirit. Just before he left, he promised, “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”.   He promised that “the love of God” would be “poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit”.

Finally, Jesus’ ascension creates a longing in us for him to come back.   At the ascension, the angel promised, “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven”.   It assures us that a time will come when sin, pain, and suffering will be no more.   It promises us that Jesus will keep watch over us until that great and awesome day.

So rejoice today! Lift up your heart and lift up your eyes to Jesus, now enthroned in the heavens.

word among us