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Today, in the Christian Year calendar, is Ascension Day. This is the day that we remember when Jesus, risen from the grave, is taken up to be seated at the right hand of God the Father.
Acts 1:9-11 1:9 “When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Luke 24:49-53 “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
After Jesus had been raised from the dead, he spent 40 days with his disciples, teaching them and preparing them for the mission that was to come. Jesus was not only training them about kingdom living, but he was preparing them for the Holy Spirit that was to come upon them and give them power for the work. Ascension Day marks the beginning of the waiting for the Holy Spirit. We are not meant to do the mission on our own strength, we need help!
Jesus has been given all authority and power (Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:21-23). And now, Jesus lives in us and we are “clothed with power from on high” for the purpose of continuing the work that Jesus started. Jesus may have physically left this earth, but we has not abandoned us. Ascension Day reminds us that we are here for a purpose and that Jesus has given us a mission.
I think the core messages of Ascension Day are that:
- we have not been left to ourselves – Jesus ascended into heaven, but he is there as our intercessor, constantly praying for us (Hebrews 7:23-25)
- we have not been left alone – Jesus ascended, but he now lives in us by his Spirit. Jesus did not abandon us, he is always with us (Matthew 28:20).
- we have not been left helpless and without direction – Jesus has given us a mission, and has given us his power and presence to accomplish that mission (Acts 1:8-9)
And I think the hope we find in Ascension Day is:
- Jesus is with us. Immanuel – God with us, is still with us. He lives in us as we find our life in him
- Jesus is praying for us. As he is at the right hand of God, he is continually praying for us
- Jesus has promised us power. Part of Ascension Day is preparing for the Holy Spirit to come upon us (The Day of Pentecost in 10 days).
- Jesus will come back. “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
So, as we remember and reflect on this day, I also encourage you to begin the waiting and anticipation for Pentecost Sunday. Waiting teaches us that we desperately need God’s help to accomplish his work.
