05/14/2026
Today is ASCENSION DAY!
Take a moment to reflect on all that Jesus did for us through His incarnational ministry. Try to imagine what it would have been like for the Apostles to watch the crucified, risen Savior ascend into the heavens in a cloud. The Apostles were eyewitnesses to the bodily ascension of Jesus! What a bittersweet day of sadness and hope.
Acts 1:9-11 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, (11) who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
The Ascension of Christ represents the completion of Jesus' earthly ministry. His atoning work as the suffering Servant has won for us the victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave.
The ascension represents the fulfillment of Psalm 110:1, The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
Acts 2:32–33 "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. (33) Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear."
The Apostles' Creed references this important moment in the life and ministry of Jesus: "He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead."
Jesus said that His ascension was necessary and to our benefit:
John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Jesus' ascension made possible the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit within God's people, both individually and corporately as the Church. The human body of Christ has been removed from our midst, but the Spirit of Christ is ever present with His people.
In the church, we remember His broken body and shed blood in the Lord's Supper, where we are reminded of His great love for us and the grace He makes available to each of us. And we remember that He sits enthroned in power at the right hand of God the Father with all authority over heaven and earth, awaiting the day the Father sends Him back as Judge and King.
Until Jesus' return, He has given the Church a mission: Proclaim and live out the Good News of Jesus to the world. Win the lost. Baptize believers. Train disciples. In the fullness of the Spirit, show a lost, broken, dying world the transforming power of the love of Jesus in the gospel.
Worship. Pray. Obey. Serve. Give. Grow. Go. (Repeat)
Christian, remember this on Ascension Day: Jesus is alive in heaven, and He is King of Kings! He is ever interceding to the Father on our behalf. And we are called to follow our King and reflect the glory of His kingdom here on earth until He returns.
"This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." -Acts 1:11
Rev. 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
