The Ascension Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

There are churchmen who doubt or even dent the literal Ascension, saying it’s the spiritual significance that matters. Thank God for the spiritual meaning, but it seems to me that the point they miss is that there would be no assurance of the spiritual meaning of the Ascension, or the resurrection for that matter, if these wonderful events did not have a firm historical basis. I’m so glad that I can affirm without hesitation that Jesus "was taken up into heaven" (Luke 24:51).

The resurrection of Jesus signalled the ending of a chapter in his earthly life. Things could never be the same again and it was essential that there should be a clear-cut event to bring the chapter to a close. It’s true that Jesus was making a series of appearances to his followers, but they couldn’t go on forever. It would be odd if they should grow fewer until finally they petered out - that would only cause confusion and even loss of faith. No, there had to be a day dividing when the Jesus of Earth would become the Christ of heaven. The Ascension was the only fitting conclusion to the life of Jesus on Earth. God isn’t the author of confusion.

The disciples who witnessed the Ascension saw it as an ending. It was the day when their faith in a flesh and blood person, depending on a physical presence, was ended. Now they were linked to someone who was independent of space and time. But the ending of the earthly chapter also meant a new beginning. Luke tells us that the disciples did not leave the scene broken-hearted - they had a definite promise of the soon-to-be-given Holy Spirit. The disciples knew that the Ascension was the completion of the cycle from the incarnation. Jesus himself had predicted, "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world; again, I leave the world and go to the Father" (John 16:28). This gave them great assurance because their dearest friend was in heaven. The resurrection and the Ascension can’t be separated. They form two part of the one continuous movement resulting in the glorification of Jesus. When Jesus met Mary Magdalene in the garden he told her to tell his disciples, "I am ascending" as if the process had already begun with the resurrection and would be completed when he was finally received into his Father’s presence. The resurrection and the Ascension are milestones in the process whereby Jesus - crucified, risen and ascended - entered finally into the glory of God.

We’ve looked at the Ascension in its historical perspective but must now move on to think of its significance:

SPIRITUALLY

Luke’s account of the Ascension places us in the shoes of the disciples. There they are with eyes uplifted, as Luke records the scene so vividly, "gazing into heaven as he went" and all too soon the ascending Saviour disappeared from their sight. Then Mark takes up the story. He writes from the viewpoint of our Lord’s destination. Through the inspiration given to him we are allowed to share the secrets of heaven itself. Only the Holy Spirit could have revealed the scene to Mark: "Jesus was received into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" (16:19). What a homecoming! The crown of thorns was changed into a crown of glory! Many a hero has been welcomed back into his hometown with bands blaring - the round the world yachtsman, the newly elected prime minister or president. But that’s nothing to the glory of the welcome given to the ascended Lord Jesus. Is that some speculation on my part? No it’s not!