Three Reasons Why the Ascension is Important

This past week, Bree asked the students at VBS what happened after Jesus was resurrected. One joyful student shouted, “He levitated!” It was a great moment. While the student was not entirely wrong, we typically say He “ascended.” After the resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven.

Every year, we remember the Day of Jesus’ Ascension. However, what is so important about the Day of Ascension? Let’s explore three reasons why this day is significant for us.

First, the day marked the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the start of His Heavenly ministry. We are told that Jesus now sits at the Father’s right hand in Heaven (Acts 2.33), where He acts as our advocate (1 John 2.1). I like what Tim Keller says is the implication of this: “It doesn’t matter what you have been or what you have done. It doesn’t matter how flawed and foolish you are. When the eyes of God the Father look at you, they see Jesus; when they listen to you, they hear him. When God looks and listens to you, he sees and hears infinite beauty.”

Second, while Jesus was on Earth, He was bound to a single place. The ascension makes it possible for Christ to be with us all. Before ascending, Jesus promised the disciples, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” But how would that be possible? Through the Holy Spirit. The Bible speaks in several places about Christ living in our hearts. Paul prayed that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph. 3.17), and he speaks about “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1.27). This is made possible through the Holy Spirit. His ascension has made it possible for Jesus to be present with believers all over the world at the same time.

Third, Jesus has gone to make a place for us. In John 14, Jesus promises He would make a place for us in eternity and return to take us there. The ascension gives us comfort that this life is not all there is. The catechism says, “it will be an eternal life of joyful fellowship with our triune God, together with all his saints and angels, singing his praises and serving him in the renewed creation.” Jesus has not only made eternity possible for us, but he has also made a place for us in eternity.

Of course, there is much more we could say about the ascension. However, I think Alister McGrath, in I Believe: Exploring the Apostles’ Creed, nicely summarizes its significance. He writes, “Having come down to earth from heaven to redeem us, Jesus now returns to heaven to intercede for us. He came down to earth from heaven in great humility; he returns to heaven in triumph and glory, having accomplished all that was necessary for our salvation.” May this ascension give you confidence that we have an advocate with God in Heaven, we have the presence of Jesus always with us, and we have a place in eternity.

Fr. Chase