09/05/2024
Ascension Day
Today we are commemorating Jesus’ ascension.
Growing up, Ascension Day used to be a public holiday, so that we could attend a church service honouring Jesus as our Sovereign God who was on earth and in heaven today. Thanking Him for the gift of salvation.
Sadly, this is not a public holiday anymore. When a government don’t believe in Jesus, they abolish Christian celebrations, like Ascension Day. Saying that, I wonder how many followers of Jesus remembered it is Ascension Day and will make time to commemorate it.
Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection Jesus ascended up into heaven, in His literal bodily form.
As we read in Acts 1:4-11
“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:4-11).
We also read in Luke 24:50-53,
“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:50-53).
You might ask, why is the Ascension of Jesus so important, and meaningful to any follower of Christ?
1. It marks the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. God the Father, send His Son into the world, and now His Son is returning to Him in heaven as God. However, Jesus gets a special place in heaven, as He is seated at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19; Col 3:1; Rom 8:23, 1 Peter 3:22).
2. It means Jesus accomplished His work, what He had come to do, and overcome the world, (John 16:28-33).
3. It marked the return of His heavenly glory (Matt 17:1-9).
4. Jesus was exalted by His Father (Eph 1:20-23) and given a Name above all names.
“Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God, the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11).
5. Jesus went to prepare an eternal place for us, just as He told His disciples that He is going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2).
6. Indicating Jesus role as High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), and Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:15).
7. Jesus had to ascend to heaven, for us to receive the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-16, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8).
8. When Jesus ascended to heaven to be with the Father, He took us with Him. It means that we participate in that perfect relationship that Jesus has with God the Father as His children.
We read in John 1:12-13
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
9. We await the second coming of Jesus, when He returns again to set up His Kingdom.
May you celebrate Ascension Day with Holy communion, honouring and thanking Jesus for His love, and the blessings He bestowed on you.
Amen.
