The Ascension

Having taken a brief break during the summer, we want to return to our weekly Pastor’s pen. These are brief meditations on some aspects of Christian truth and practice. What doctrine in the Christian faith brings the most comfort to you? The incarnation, the Trinity, salvation, the atoning death of Jesus, the resurrection, the communion of the saints, or the promise of eternal life? Surely, all of these contain many treasures and comforts. 

Today, we come to that portion of the Apostle’s creed saying, ‘He ascended in into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Have you ever given much thought to the doctrine of the Ascension? Though I would never say it is more important than other critical doctrines, I think it safe to say that it is the one most overlooked. 

What is the importance of the ascension? What does it signify? What practical relevance does it have for our daily lives? The Bible gives many wonderful answers to these questions. Here is a brief outline of some of the blessings we can see in this momentous event. First, the ascension marks the end of Jesus’ earthly bodily ministry including the resurrection appearances, and the beginning of his heavenly ministry. This does not mean that his ministry work is over but that the location and the focus of his work has shifted. While on earth, he came to accomplish the work of providing for salvation. This is what the author of Hebrews means when he says, “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb 1:3). From one perspective, Jesus’ earthly work is complete. Yet, having sat down, he continues his heavenly ministry.  

The second blessing we can see is that Jesus fulfills his promise to send the Holy Spirit. In John’s gospel, we read multiple places that when Jesus leaves, he would send the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17). The ministry of the Spirit is to continue the witness of Jesus through the witness of the disciples and to make the life of Jesus present in our lives each and every day. (Acts 1:8, Rom 1:5). The visible giving of the Spirit is proof that Jesus in his earthly life was the Messiah through whom God was working to bring salvation. It is the proof that this is the time of salvation for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It also is the proof that the “last days” have arrived since the sending of the Spirit has come in the prophetically anticipated way. (Acts 2:17).  

The third reality of the ascension is that it demonstrates that God has indeed placed a human being at the helm of the universe. This is a truth that often escapes us but one that the scriptures make clear. It is true that the Bible affirms Jesus’ divinity. He is the Son of God, which the scriptures testify to repeatedly. Paul says it this way, “concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” And yet, the scriptures also point out Jesus’ exalted status as the perfect human being. We see this in Daniel chapter 7 where Daniel sees, “and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” This passage anticipates a coming figure who would ascend to the throne of heaven and receive a kingdom that shall not pass away. When Paul is preaching in Athens, he identifies this figure with Jesus when he says, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed and of this, he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31). Jesus, therefore, is the perfect human being. He is the second Adam who finally did what every human since Adam has failed to do, live under God’s rule. Therefore, God has highly exalted him to the highest place (Phil 2).  

The fourth reality of the ascension is Jesus’ mediatorial role as our great High Priest. In Jesus’ mediatorial role, he provides salvation, “he his able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him.” (Heb 7:29). He provides intercession, “since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:29, I Tim 2:5).  

Fifth, the ascension guarantees that Jesus will accomplish all his work and triumph over all his enemies. “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” (I Cor 15:24, Heb 10:13). Just as Jesus said to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” Finally, the ascension guarantees that he will come again to gather his children into his kingdom. “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 1:11), “so Christ, having offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” These are the great blessings of the ascension. The ascension is like a detonator to the explosion of all that God set in motion and accomplished through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. At the Ascension Jesus carries out what that reality accomplished. May you take great comfort today in knowing the riches of your salvation and where it is headed since Jesus ascended and sat down at the right hand of the Father.