After the resurrection of Christ, He presented himself on twelve occasions to groups ranging from one to as large as five hundred people. Jesus taught His disciples about God’s kingdom. Forty-days after the resurrection Jesus went with His disciples to Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem. Jesus promised His followers that they soon would receive the Holy Spirit and instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit had come. Then, Jesus blessed them and ascended into heaven (see: Luke 24:50-51& Acts 1:9-11).
Just as Jesus’ resurrection was a bodily resurrection, where Jesus had died on the cross and was resurrected on the third day, His ascension was a literal, bodily return to heaven. Those present observed Jesus ascend until a cloud hid him from their view. Two angels appear and promised Jesus would return in the same way they had seen Him go. The ascension of Christ is a remarkable account that is meaningful for all of us.
The ascension is meaningful to us because it signaled the end of His earthly ministry. Jesus had come to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Christ came to die for our sins and be resurrected for our salvation. Sin had separated us from God and brought upon us a death sentence. Jesus died in our stead so that we can find new life and spend eternity with Him (see: Romans 4:25 & 6:23). The ascension signifies success in the earthly work of Jesus Christ. He had accomplished what He had come to do.
The ascension is meaningful to us because it symbolized His exaltation by the Father (Ephesians 1:20-23). When the Father received Jesus, He was honored and given a name above all names (Philippians 2:9). Jesus returned to His heavenly glory where He loving serves as our Mediator to the Father (see: 1 Timothy 2:5 & Hebrews 9:15).
The ascension is meaningful to us because it allowed Him to prepare a place for us (see: John 14:2). In John’s Gospel, we discover a conversation Jesus had with His disciples about His leaving them. Jesus tells His disciples that He will be leaving them soon. The disciples are troubled that Jesus is going away. So He encourages them that He is going to prepare a place for them in paradise. Jesus also declares that He would return and take them to be with Him. This promise was not just to those He was directly speaking to, but to all of His followers throughout the ages. Anyone who is in Christ is promised renewal for today and a blessed future with Him for eternity.
Much is spoken in churches about Christ death on the cross and resurrection and rightfully so. These two events radically changed the human predicament and opened the door for all to find salvation and life in Christ. But, unfortunately, little is spoken of the ascension. This is a shame because; the ascension marks Christ finished work in our salvation. It signifies His being accepted by the Father, as well as, the acceptance of all to God who has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The ascension also introduces us to the reality of Christ preparing a place for His followers and His promise to return and take us to be with Him for eternity.
I am so grateful to follow Christ with each of you. As we celebrate Christ this Easter season, let’s not forget about His ascension and how meaningful it is to each of us. Because of Christ’s ascension, we can live the ascended life, a life filled with the power and promises of Christ. Jesus as our ascended Lord leaves no doubt about who we are, whose we are, and what we are all about in Him. Just like His first disciples, we are to share His love and message with others as witnesses of our Lord (see: Acts 1:8), so that all will be ready for His return. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!