The Ascension of Christ

The Ascension of Christ

The significance of the Ascension is often overlooked.  We celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas and His death and resurrection at Easter. But quite often there is little or no mention of the Ascension and yet the importance of the Ascension is that it is part of redemption. 

“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 BSB*

The announcement of His departures was a blow for the disciples, but they later realised the significance of the event. 

“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

We may ask “what is the significance for us?” So we need to take a look and understand what happened.  At His ascension Jesus took His rightful place at the right-hand of God; in effect His coronation and confirmation as the King of Kings.  He also became judge of the whole world, and it is Him we will all face on Judgement Day.  Thankfully for us He will be our advocate and intercede on our behalf.  But we do not have to wait till that day for Christ to intercede for us, because He has also entered the heavenly Holy of Holies as our great High Priest, interceding for us continually while we are on this earth.

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 BSB

Today, 29th 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.

*BSB – Berean Study Bible