Introduction
The Ascension of Jesus Christ is a foundational yet often overlooked event in Christian theology. It marks the moment when Jesus was taken up into heaven, concluding His earthly ministry and initiating His reign as the exalted King. This article seeks to explore the biblical account of the Ascension, its theological significance, and its implications for Christian belief and practice.
The Historical Event of the Ascension
The Ascension of Jesus is a well-documented event in the New Testament, providing a clear account of His return to heaven.
• Jesus’ Departure to Heaven: Acts 1:9-11 (ESV): “And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight…”
This passage vividly describes the physical Ascension of Jesus into heaven, witnessed by His disciples. The Ascension signifies the completion of His earthly mission and the beginning of His heavenly ministry. It serves as a powerful affirmation of Jesus’ divine nature and His exaltation by God.
• Blessing and Ascension: Luke 24:50-53 (ESV): “Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.”
Luke emphasizes Jesus’ final act of blessing His disciples before ascending, indicating a transfer of His mission to them. The Ascension not only marks the end of Jesus’ physical presence but also the empowerment of His followers to continue His work. It encapsulates a moment of divine commissioning and the promise of ongoing presence through the Spirit.
• Seated at God’s Right Hand: Mark 16:19 (ESV): “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.”
Mark’s account underscores the sovereignty and authority of Christ post-Ascension. Being seated at God’s right hand symbolizes Jesus’ royal authority and active participation in divine rulership. It is a position of honor, indicating that Jesus now reigns with all power and authority.
• Manifested and Believed On: 1 Timothy 3:16 (ESV): “He was taken up in glory.”
This succinct reference to the Ascension in Paul’s letter conveys the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ. It underscores the belief in Jesus’ exaltation as a key element of Christian faith. The phrase captures the essence of Jesus’ transformation from humility to glory.
Theological Significance of the Ascension
The Ascension holds profound theological importance, revealing key aspects of Christ’s work and identity.
• Exalted and Sovereign Lord: Ephesians 1:20-23 (ESV): “That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…”
Paul speaks of Jesus’ exaltation and His sovereignty over all things. The Ascension is presented as the culmination of God’s mighty power, positioning Christ above all earthly and spiritual powers. It establishes Jesus as the head of the Church and the ruler over all aspects of creation.
• A Sympathetic High Priest: Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV): “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
The Ascension portrays Jesus as the High Priest who intercedes for humanity in heaven. This role assures believers of His empathetic understanding and His ability to intercede effectively on their behalf. The Ascension thus invites believers to approach God with confidence, knowing they are represented by Christ.
• Seeking Things Above: Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
This passage applies the Ascension to the believer’s life, calling Christians to set their minds on heavenly realities. It suggests a reorientation of life’s priorities and values in light of Christ’s exaltation and lordship. The Ascension, therefore, has ethical implications, guiding how believers should live in the world.
• Name Above Every Name: Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV): “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…”
Paul describes the Ascension as part of Christ’s exaltation, where He is given supreme honor and authority. This exaltation is a response to Jesus’ humble obedience, and it ensures that every being acknowledges His lordship. The Ascension is thus central to the Christian confession of Jesus as Lord.
Ascension and the High Priesthood of Christ
Jesus’ role as the High Priest is intimately connected to His Ascension, highlighting His ongoing ministry in heaven.
• Heavenly Sanctuary Access: Hebrews 9:11-12 (ESV): “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
In His Ascension, Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate High Priest, entering the heavenly sanctuary on behalf of humanity. Unlike earthly priests, His sacrifice is perfect and final, securing eternal redemption for believers. The Ascension is thus pivotal in establishing Jesus’ unique and effective priestly ministry.
• Intercession for Believers: Hebrews 7:25-26 (ESV): “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
Jesus’ ongoing intercessory role in heaven is a direct result of His Ascension. His eternal priesthood assures believers of continual representation before God. This intercession is comprehensive, offering assurance of salvation and constant access to God’s grace.
• Minister of the True Sanctuary: Hebrews 8:1-2 (ESV): “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.”
The Ascension establishes Jesus as the minister in the true heavenly sanctuary. His position at God’s right hand signifies His authority and effectiveness as the mediator of a new and better covenant. It highlights the transcendent and superior nature of His priestly service compared to the earthly priesthood.
• Anchor for the Soul: Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV): “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf…”
Jesus’ Ascension is depicted as an anchor for believers’ hope, firmly grounded in the heavenly sanctuary. As a forerunner, He paves the way for believers to enter God’s presence. The imagery of an anchor conveys stability, security, and assurance, rooted in Christ’s heavenly ministry.
Jesus’ Ascension and the Holy Spirit
The Ascension of Jesus is intricately linked to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the empowerment of the Church.
• The Spirit Sent by Jesus: John 16:7 (ESV): “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
Jesus explains that His departure (Ascension) is necessary for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Ascension facilitates the sending of the Spirit, who continues Jesus’ work on earth. This teaching emphasizes the Ascension as a beneficial and essential event for the empowerment of believers.
• Spirit Received from the Exalted Christ: Acts 2:33 (ESV): “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”
Peter proclaims that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is a direct result of Jesus’ exaltation and Ascension. The Ascended Christ exercises His authority by sending the Spirit to His followers. It demonstrates the continued presence and activity of Jesus in the Church through the Spirit.
• Promise of the Father: Luke 24:49 (ESV): “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Before His Ascension, Jesus promises the disciples that they will receive the Holy Spirit. The Ascension is thus closely associated with the fulfillment of this promise, equipping the disciples with divine power. It signifies the transition from Jesus’ physical presence to His spiritual presence in and through the believers.
• The Spirit Glorifies Christ: John 7:39 (ESV): “Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
The gift of the Spirit is linked to Jesus’ glorification, which includes His Ascension. The Holy Spirit’s role is to glorify Christ by revealing His teachings, empowering His followers, and expanding His work. The Ascension, therefore, sets the stage for a new phase of Jesus’ ministry through the Spirit in the Church.
Ascension as a Model for Christian Hope
The Ascension of Jesus is not only a testament to His divine glory but also serves as a beacon of hope for all believers.
• A Living Hope Through Resurrection and Ascension: 1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”
Peter celebrates the hope believers have because of Christ’s resurrection and ascension. This living hope is grounded in Jesus’ victory over death and His exaltation in heaven, guaranteeing believers an eternal inheritance. The ascension assures us that just as Christ was raised and ascended, so too will those who are in Christ be raised to eternal life.
• The Promise of Christ’s Return: Acts 1:10-11 (ESV): “And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'”
As the disciples watched Jesus ascend, angels promised His return in like manner. This promise provides a hopeful anticipation for believers, that just as Jesus ascended to heaven, He will one day return for His followers. The ascension, therefore, is a precursor to the second coming, instilling hope for the future.
• A Place Prepared for Believers: John 14:2-3 (ESV): “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Jesus’ words assure believers that His ascension is part of the divine plan to prepare an eternal dwelling for them. The ascension not only confirms Jesus’ divine authority but also His commitment to unite believers with Him in His heavenly residence. This promise from Jesus gives believers hope that they have a secured place in the presence of God.
• Manifestation of Christ’s Life in Believers: Colossians 3:4 (ESV): “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Paul teaches that Christ is the life of believers, and His ascension is a guarantee of their future glorification with Him. This verse brings hope that believers will share in Christ’s glory, which was confirmed through His ascension. It’s a profound truth that the life believers now live is hidden with Christ in God, ensuring their ultimate revelation in glory.
The Ascended Christ and the Church
The Ascension establishes a unique and ongoing relationship between the risen Christ and His Church.
• Gifts for the Church: Ephesians 4:7-13 (ESV): “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’ … to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”
Christ’s ascension is portrayed as a triumph, and from His exalted position, He gives gifts to His Church. This passage depicts the ascended Christ actively involved in the growth and edification of His body, the Church. These gifts are given to equip believers for ministry, ultimately contributing to the unity and maturity of the Church.
• The Great Commission Empowered: Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'”
Before ascending, Jesus commissions His disciples to make disciples of all nations, promising His continual presence. The ascension does not signify Christ’s absence but rather assures His omnipresence and authority, empowering the Church’s mission. It confirms that the Church’s mission is under the sovereign rule and presence of the ascended Lord.
• Seated with Christ: Ephesians 2:6 (ESV): “And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”
Believers are spiritually enthroned with the ascended Christ, signifying a position of honor, authority, and victory. This spiritual reality affects how the Church operates, knowing its position is secured in the heavenly realm with Christ. It’s a profound mystery that while believers live on earth, their spiritual status is with Christ in heaven, influencing their identity and mission.
• Sharing Christ’s Throne: Revelation 3:21 (ESV): “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
Jesus promises that believers who overcome will share in His rule, as He shares in the Father’s rule. This promise is rooted in the victory of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension. It offers a vision of the future where the faithful will partake in Christ’s sovereign reign, reflecting the profound unity between the ascended Christ and His Church.
Living in Light of the Ascension
The Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven is a cornerstone of Christian faith, guiding how believers live their lives in expectation of His kingdom.
• Set Your Minds on Heavenly Realities: Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Paul calls believers to a transformed perspective, focusing on the ascended Christ and the heavenly realities. This mindset is rooted in the believer’s union with Christ, which began with spiritual resurrection and will culminate in eternal glory. The ascension affirms that believers should live with a heavenward orientation, shaping their values and decisions according to Christ’s present and future reign.
• Empowered Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth: Acts 1:8 (ESV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Before His ascension, Jesus promises His disciples that the Holy Spirit will empower them to be witnesses. The ascension initiates this outpouring of the Spirit, enabling the church to fulfill its mission. Believers are thus empowered to live as Christ’s representatives, extending the message of salvation globally as a result of Jesus’ ascension and authority.
• Our Citizenship is in Heaven: Philippians 3:20 (ESV): “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”
Paul reminds believers that their true citizenship is in heaven, reinforcing a dual sense of belonging and expectation. The ascension underscores this reality, anchoring our hope in Christ’s return from the place of His ascension. It inspires believers to live as ambassadors of heaven, reflecting heavenly values in a fallen world.
• Walking by Faith, Not by Sight: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV): “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
In light of the ascension, Paul encourages believers to live courageously by faith, not by physical sight. This faith is in the risen and ascended Lord, who is not currently seen, yet is ruling and will return. The ascension, therefore, informs the believer’s daily walk, encouraging a life of faith that anticipates being in the physical presence of the ascended Christ.
Conclusion
The Ascension of Jesus is a profound event with deep theological and practical implications for believers. It confirms Jesus’ lordship, anticipates His return, and assures us of our heavenly citizenship and future glorification. The ascension shapes our hope, our worship, and our mission, orienting us towards a life that reflects the reality of Christ’s kingdom and His coming return. As we contemplate the ascended Christ, may we be inspired to live with greater conviction, purpose, and hope, embodying the values of His eternal kingdom in our temporal world.
