Ascension

Encore Post:

The Ascension is an important event in the life of Jesus and in the life of the Church. It is the final part of the work that redeemed us: the cross, where our sins were paid for; the resurrection, where the power of the grave was broken; and the ascension, which restored all His honor, glory, authority, and power. From the early Church over 1500 years ago until recent years, Christians celebrated the Ascension on the fortieth day after Easter, or on the Thursday ten days before Pentecost. In the twenty-first century, many churches celebrate Ascension on the Sunday before Pentecost.

When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He did not cease ruling the world. Rather, He openly took His place at the right hand of the Father, exercising the authority that had always been His as the eternal Son of God. The same Jesus who walked the roads of Galilee now reigns over all things for the good of His Church. In the Ascension, our human nature was carried to the throne of God itself. The Son of Mary still reigns as true God and true man. Because He lives and reigns there, we know that one day we too will follow Him into His Father’s presence.

When He ascended, Jesus left His Church with a promise, a mission, and a blessing. He promised to be with us always until the end of time. He gave us our mission. We would join His mission to seek and save the lost by going to the whole world, being witnesses to His life, death, and resurrection, proclaiming the good news of salvation, baptizing, and teaching all He commanded us. As He ascended, He blessed them as Aaron and the High Priest did and as pastors do to this day, giving us His peace.

Now the Church waits patiently for Him to return. On a day that no one knows, Jesus will come again in glory. On that day, He will raise our bodies from the grave, judge all the living and the dead, and bring an end to sin, death, and the power of the devil. God will live among us again and throw the greatest marriage feast of all time. He will wipe every tear from our eyes.

Until that day, the Ascension reminds us that our Lord is not absent. The risen Christ reigns. He still rules His Church, hears our prayers, blesses His people, and keeps His promise to be with us always, even to the end of the age. Because the Son of Man is already enthroned in Heaven, we know that our future is there with Him.

Originally posted at What does this Mean? Blog: What Does This Mean?

The posts in the blog What does this Mean? are now available at What does this Mean? | Rev. Robert E. Smith | Substack

Rev. Robert E. Smith
Pastor Emeritus
Fort Wayne, Indiana

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