The Ascension of Christ

The significance of the Ascension is often overlooked.  At Christmas, we celebrate Christ’s birth and at Easter we reflect on His death and resurrection.  However, the Ascension often receives little attention despite its vital role as a key part of redemption. While in the Upper Room Christ told them again about His departure. Although this announcement was a blow for the disciples, they would later realise the significance and the need of it.

“But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.  I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.  However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16v7,12-13

We might wonder, “Why does this matter to us?” To answer that it’s important to reflect on what took place.  When Jesus ascended He assumed His rightful position at God’s right hand—essentially marking His coronation as King of Kings and confirming His authority.  At the same time He became judge of the whole world, and it is Him we will all face on Judgement Day.  Thankfully for us, Jesus, also acts as our advocate; interceding on our behalf.  Even before that final day arrives Christ continues to intercede for us as our great High Priest; He has entered the heavenly Holy of Holies and supports us constantly during our lives here on earth. It’s important to also recognise that it was not until Christ had ascended that He poured out His Holy Spirit upon the church.

“Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.  And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned. I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.  However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.  For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.  He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.  Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine.  That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.”  John 16v7-15

“After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.  They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.””  Acts 1v9-11

Today, Thursday 14th May, we celebrate the Ascension.  We pray you will rejoice in this day and give thanks to God for the sacrifice that has given us life.