Jesus Ascension - Pt. 1

 

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, the was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-11 ESV).

 

The simplicity of Luke’s account of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven is remarkable. Our reading says, “And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, the was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” (v. 8). Both the Nicene and Apostle’s Creed have this reference within their composition as an affirmation of one of the foundational tenets of the faith.  Based on the teachings of the Bible, they remind us of something that is both wonderfully simple and astoundingly great: Jesus has gone bodily to be in the very presence of God!

 

The bigger question for most believers today is what the significance of this truth is. The main thing is that Jesus, who rose from the dead after dying to pay for all our sin, now lives and rules with God the Father in heaven. And yet Jesus is also with us always— through the Spirit of God, who comes to live and work in our hearts. Jesus’ ascension made all this possible.

 

Over the next few days, I want to explore the meanings embedded in this truth both on an eternal and contemporary application. It is important to know why Jesus returned to heaven; it is equally important to understand how He prepared his disciples for his heavenly reign; and, therefore, it becomes an instructional manual as to how we are to live considering our Savior’s role in heaven at God’s right hand. The Christian faith calls us to remember a simple truth: Jesus ascended. But it also invites us to grow in our faith in the ascended Lord. I hope this walk through the teaching of the Ascension will prove to be a great encouragement to you in your life. Today, simply acknowledge your absolute belief in Jesus’ Ascension.