Our Ascended Lord Jesus

What is the significance of the Ascension of Jesus? What are the implications of the Ascension of Jesus? What does the Ascension of Jesus mean for us today? 

We see the Ascension of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, when Luke writes, “And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” (Luke 24:50-53, ESV).

Jesus’ Ascension to heaven is his ascending his Holy throne and resuming his place of honor and power and rule and reign. Jesus returns to heaven to prepare a place for us as he promised in John chapter fourteen. Jesus returned to heaven so that he could send the Holy Spirit to us and to make us temples of God by His Holy Spirit. Jesus ascended into heaven so that he could return again in glory to judge the living and the dead. 

Oswald Chambers, the author of the daily devotional classic My Utmost for His Highest, wrote, “At His Ascension our Lord entered Heaven, and He keeps the door open for humanity to enter."

Even the famous secular author Ernest Hemingway wrote about the importance of the ascension when he penned these poetic words: “Ascensions into heaven are like falling leaves sad and happy all at the same time Going away isn't really sad especially when your going enables a new kind of presence to be born.” 

The Ascension of Jesus enables the finished work of Jesus, a new kind of God’s presence at Pentecost through His Holy Spirit, and Jesus’ return when he comes again to judge the living and the dead. Jesus’ Ascension enables Him to make all things new, as he promised in Revelation 21:5, “And he who was seated on the throne said, “‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

May we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ and anticipate all the gifts and outcomes that his sacrificial death, his resurrection, and his ascension brings about for those of us who trust in Him. 

A Collect for Ascension Day: “Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven: May our hearts and minds also there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019). 

A Collect for the Sunday after the Ascension: “O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019). 

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