This year, Thursday, May 9, is Ascension Day, the fortieth day after Easter. In addition to previous reflections on this blog, here is a new reflection on the Ascension.
The Ascension is an important teaching of Scripture (Luke 24; Acts 1; Matthew 28; Mark 16; John 20; Ephesians 1 & 4) and of the ancient creeds. Unfortunately, especially in our time, this central New Testament event is often overlooked, and it deserves more attention.
The Ascension of Christ means several things. 1) It marks the end of Jesus' Resurrection manifestations to the band of original disciples, the completion of His earthly ministry, and Jesus' return to His heavenly Father. 2) The Ascension also points toward and prepares for Pentecost. As Christ tells His followers more than once in the "Farewell Discourses" in the Gospel according to John, His return to the Father will lead to a new and powerful working of God the Holy Spirit among them. Christ's return to heaven means that the mission of His disciples can become less local and more universal. 3) Christ's Ascension also means that His followers have a heavenly mediator and intercessor at the right hand of the Father. From heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ watches over us in all places and at all times. He intercedes for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and for our eternal salvation.
Thus, we see that Christ's Ascension ties a number of Christian beliefs together. It reminds us of all that Jesus Christ has done and is doing to pour His grace into our lives. It is an affirmation of Jesus' earthly ministry and His Resurrection. It is a kind of seal of divine approval on the Incarnation. The Ascension is also a concrete illustration of His continuing work as our unique heavenly intercessor and mediator. In addition, as the angels tell the disciples in Acts 1, the Ascension is a reminder of the Christian hope that Jesus Christ will come again to complete earthly history. Thanks be to God for our crucified, risen, and ascended Savior!
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