The ascension of Jesus

The ascension of Jesus – talk about a grand exit, right? I mean it could be thought of as anti cilmatic – celebrated on a weekday, kind of out of the way, and it feels like it’s just a necessary pit stop between Jesus ascending and the Holy Spirit arriving at the scene.

Yet I think the ascension of Jesus is a lot more than this ... I mean if this was just a pit stop, why did it have to be so dramatic?

Jesus our example

⁸ 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.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ 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 1:8-11

The ascension of Jesus Christ demonstrates his victory over death; he wasn’t merely resurrected to die again, but to live eternally. The sight of Jesus ascending into the clouds, witnessed by his followers, leaves no doubt that he is alive and with God the Father in Heaven, no longer bound to Earth.

OK, there are certainly other possibilities to consider. For example, some propose that the apostles fabricated the story of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, while another theory suggests that Jesus was not crucified but instead had a wife and children, continuing a ministry into old age. However, these theories present a challenge when considering the persecution suffered by the disciples. Most of them met unfortunate fates and all were persecuted. If the resurrection and ascension of Jesus were fictitious, one might expect someone to have produced evidence to the contrary. Yet, the lack of such evidence, coupled with the tragic deaths of the disciples, strongly indicates that they were truthfully recounting the events they had witnessed.

The ascension demonstrates God’s is all powerful.

The ascension also includes an important instruction: Wait!

Jesus 0ur teacher

The specific relevant content for this request, if necessary, delimited with characters: We are to continue the work of Jesus, but we are not to work in our own power but wait for the Holy Spirit to come and empower us. My thoughts on that are coming soon, you’ll just have to wait.

But I believe the disciples got something wrong.

Instead of waiting, they eagerly began choosing a successor to Judas. They carefully deliberated between two men, Matthias and Barnabas. By casting lots, Matthias emerged as the chosen one. Following this, the account in the Acts of the Apostles never mentions Matthias again, nor do any of the letters. However, Barnabas rises to prominence in the story, as he selflessly sells a field and contributes the proceeds to the Apostles. He also embarks on a journey to find Saul (who later changed his name to Paul) and becomes a key partner on Paul’s first missionary journey.

Did the disciples choose wrong? I think so. They should have waited.

The Godhead and humanity intertwined

¹⁴ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16 ESVUK

Jesus has gone home. Jesus, in his glory, is still able to understand humans because he has taken his humanity with him. When Jesus was on Earth, it was impossible to say whether it was his humanity working the things of God like the prophets did, or the nature of God in him at work. We now have Jesus as our representative in Heaven, praying for us to the Father. He is no longer limited as he was by place or time.

Jesus went home to heaven to prepare a place for us. I have been told that picturing Jesus with a stepladder, a pot of paint, and wearing decorator's overalls is wrong, but I'm not sure about that. That is what the parables do, make the things of God into something we can picture.

Jesus’ glory, which was hidden when he was on earth is no longer veiled in heaven. He will return in glory to judge fairly.

Those of us with the Spirit of Jesus in us are citizens of heaven. We too are going home.

I’ll finish with the Collect—special prayer—for Ascension day:

Risen Christ, you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven: help us to seek and serve you, that we may join you at the Father’s side, where you reign with the Spirit in glory, now and for ever.
Amen.