What Is Ascension Day?

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On 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. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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."

9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10They 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

Ascension day! What’s that all about? It is a key doctrine of the Christian faith. The passage we just read from Acts 1 gives us the clear account of Jesus taken up to heaven. Sounds so fantastic. Hard to believe. First gotta believe Jesus rose from the grave. He defeated the very thing that afflicts all humanity, death! Resurrection victory! When was the last time you’ve seen anyone rose from the dead and then later beamed up into the sky? Yet, it is part of the ancient Apostles ’ Creed which dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament. This is what’s celebrated in churches today all over the world who believe in Christ. Easter’s resurrection hope, He is risen! This doctrine of Christ’s ascension in the Creed is stated as

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,

whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

The Ascension marks the exaltation of Jesus to His rightful place as God-sharing the heavenly throne with His Father.

Why is this doctrine so critical to us? Galen Hackman noted:

We note also in the text before us that the ascension of Jesus was visible and physical. In other words, it was such that it could be witnessed by people. This is significant. Just as it was important for Jesus to be seen following His resurrection, so it was necessary for Him to be seen as He ascended. This visible ascension brought to an end the earthly ministry of Christ. Had His appearances merely ceased, or had Jesus merely vanished without a trace-it would have been easy for the skeptics (then and now) to claim that the post-resurrection appearances (and consequently the resurrection itself) were mere fabrications. As it was, however, the unbelievers had yet another visible, tangible, physical event for which they could find no earthly explanation.

The words, "in the same way," imply that Jesus will return a second time in a manner similar to that in which He departed at the ascension. Specifically, Jesus will return in His glorified physical body in a way that is visible to all. His return will be literal and physical, just as His ascension was.

1. HOME with God: I will be in the Father’s house!

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. – John 14

It’s about the Father’s house! Always captivated by mansions, castles, soaring ceilings, the build quality, craftsmanship, details, carvings - WOW experience! His ascension means Jesus is serious about heaven as a place where you and I will feel at home. Heaven’s going to be a place where there’ll be WOW and peace, instead of war and pieces. Our longing for a permanent home where there’d be no mortgage hanging over our heads, will be met. A place to be at home with God who’s just pleased as punch to show us His glory, His home, His heaven. Remember the day we got our home in Richmond. Thrill and excitement! Kids running all over the place, rolling on the floor, checking out the rooms, and I just enjoyed the moment! Can a human heart take that much excitement? But that is exactly what Jesus promised His ascension would bring.