This year, the Feast of Ascension will be celebrated (mostly in liturgical churches) on Thursday, 9th May. It is always celebrated on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter Sunday, based on Acts 1:3. It is celebrated nearly a month later in churches that are part of the Orthodox Church tradition. And in many Protestant churches the day may pass without any thought at all.
My earliest days in church were in the branch of the Anglican Church generally referred to as High Church, and Ascension Day was a major celebration, pulling out all the High Church stops – a procession, choir anthems, white vestments, bells, and of course the rich smell of incense (accompanied by much coughing and the potential for the smoke alarms sounding!). Though this kind of celebration is no longer my “practice”, I still value Ascension Day and have come to attribute great importance to it. I think it is a neglected part of our beliefs about Jesus.
Bible teacher and theologian, Kevin Connor, says “The Ascension of Christ to Heaven was the next significant step (after His resurrection - my addition) in His redemptive ministry.”1 Without Jesus’ Ascension to heaven there would have been no enthronement and no outpouring of the Spirit. Connor continues: “The Ascension was a necessary step. It is the closing act of His earthly ministry and the initial act of His heavenly ministry.”2
There is no precedent or parallel with Jesus’ Ascension in the Old Testament. The translations of Enoch (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5), Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5-6, Jude 9, Matthew 17:1-9), and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-9 with 2 Kings 2:11-18) are of a different order. However, the Ascension is foretold in the Old Testament (Psalm 68:18, Psalm 110:1), and is spoken of by Jesus (John 16:27-28, 20:17, 6:61-62). There are numerous New Testament references to Jesus’ Ascension (Acts 1: 9-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-7).
Firstly, Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his Church and awaiting the day in which He shall come forth to judge the living and the dead.3 The Apostles Creed states: “He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.”
Secondly, the Ascension proclaims Christ’s triumph: “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Peter 3:22); “This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, He took many captives and gave gifts to his people” (Ephesians 4:8).
Thirdly, the Ascension speaks to us of Christ’s present work, including sending the Spirit (John 16:7, Acts 2). He sits at the right hand of the Father and is what we call His “Session” as Mediator (Hebrews 8:6,), Intercessor (Romans 8:34) and Advocate (1 John 2:1), exercising His authority over all authorities (Ephesians 1:20-21).
Fourthly, Jesus is preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3).
Fifthly, “[the Ascension] establishes the conditions under which the Church is called to serve. We live, work, pray, believe, witness, serve, worship, obey and die under a Lord who is exalted as head in earth and in heaven.” (Bruce Milne)4.
And sixthly, Jesus is now head of the Church and provider (via the Holy Spirit) of ministry (Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 4:1 - 13).
Neither the death of Jesus on the cross, nor His resurrection, is the end; the Easter weekend was a glorious beginning. After forty days of post-resurrection visitations and teachings, Jesus was taken bodily into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Within days Jesus fulfils the promise of God and pours out His Spirit. He rules in heaven, and prays for all His people, including you. I hope you can take some moments to celebrate the Ascension of Christ on 9th May!
1 Connor, Kevin, The Foundations of Christian Doctrine, (Bible Temple Publications, Portland, 1980) Page 216
2Connor, page 218
3Boice, James Montomery, Foundations of the Christian Faith, (InterVarsity Press, Leicester, 1986), Page 361
4Milne,, Bruce, Know the Truth, (Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester, 1982, 1999) Page 202