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Ascension!



There is one, concise statement of faith that appears in both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed that states we believe Jesus ascended back into Heaven. We believe “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.”

It is hard to believe that one of the most significant moments in Jesus’ life is scarcely recognized in the Protestant churches today. Maybe it is time for us to join with our Amish and Roman Catholic brothers and sisters who recognize the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as a holy day of obligation. 

A “day of obligation” is somewhat like a holiday where the faithful are expected to attend services, observe rest from work and recreation, and reflect on the meaning of the event memorialized.  

Jesus accomplished a lot in forty-four days! Instituted the “New Covenant,” was crucified, buried and then rose from the dead. Then for forty-days, He appeared to many and spent even more time with His Disciples before ascending back to Heaven.

So, in a matter of weeks, Jesus literally “descended” all the way to the dead and then “ascended” all the way back to Heaven. He ascended….in physical, spiritual bodily form fully human and fully God. Jesus didn’t magically “disappear” or mysteriously vaporize out of sight. He physically went back to Heaven in one of the most underestimated episodes in the story of salvation!

Author J.D. Walt, in his book “Creed” wrote on the ascension of Jesus, saying “He did not become invisible. They simply could not see him anymore. There is a big difference. Ponder this statement: Today, seated in the heavens is a human being who rules over all that is. This is our affirmation of faith.”

By ascending to Heaven and seating Himself on God’s right hand, Jesus fulfills the words of Daniel 7:14, “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

In the Ascension, we see that Jesus has returned to the Father in glory. In his sacred humanity he has risen in glory to reign in heaven. Jesus’ real physical human body is now risen and glorified; it is no longer with us. 

So, we can look to the empty tomb, and we know the body is risen and gone. We look for no other place where we would find that risen body here on earth because the ascension tells us that Jesus has returned in glory to His Father. Jesus’ risen body is with the Father in glory. Hallelujah!

Although His physical body is no longer literally on earth, His body is present in the form of His Church, alive in the Holy Spirit. As born-again Christians, you and I are members of that body; Christ is our head. The Church, His spiritual body, is where we now find Jesus Christ. That is why the Church is not an organization but and organism….living. That is why Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship!

Here is our application of the Ascension in our lives: Before Jesus ascends, he tells his apostles that it is now THEIR turn to live the life of Christ in the world. They already knew that this was going to be an impossible task. Jesus reassures them with the promise of the Holy Spirit they would be fully empowered to accomplish this mission.

Jesus sent them and gives us God’s Spirit to live within them and us to act powerfully in them and to give them everything they need. Therefore, it is the Holy Spirit that makes the Church the living body of Jesus on this earth. Yes, that’s you! That’s me!

The Ascension is more than event that took place on the Mount of Olives. This was an event that could be seen as a “commissioning ceremony.” What Jesus said to His apostles was being addressed to us today! We have inherited the task of those first disciples, now commissioned apostles!

Each of us has much that we can do for Jesus! Each one of us can do something mighty and powerful to manifest the Kingdom of God – to make it visible and present in this world today. Each one of us can take on some aspect of spreading the Gospel and bearing witness to what Jesus came to reveal. 

All of us are fully capable of living out this Christian message. There is plenty to do! Matthew 9:37-38, “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

The Ascension of Jesus Christ is an event, but most importantly more of a challenge for us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow after Jesus. Let’s look at the Ascension of Jesus in a whole new way and with greater priority that we must fulfill the words of Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Now! Let’s get going!

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