Let me begin by asking you a few questions…
· What do we celebrate every year on December 25th?
· Do you know when Easter is this year?
· Will you do anything special to remember Easter?
· When was the last time you received an Ascension Day card?
· When is Ascension Day and will you do anything special to remember it this year?
For most of us, the answers to the first three questions above are a quick and easy “Christmas,” and “yes.” The vast majority of us are very familiar with the holidays that celebrate the birth and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. However, when it comes to the final two questions, the answers will be less consistent. The reality is that some will answer “yes.” Generally, yes answers will be from those of us who have some connection to either the Catholic, Episcopal, or Lutheran churches; as these traditions likely follow a liturgical calendar in which the Ascension is remembered. Though some will answer “yes,” the majority will answer “no.” The Ascension is not an event that has made their calendar, nor has it received a significant amount of annual attention.
Along these lines, in his book, “The Beautiful Fight”, author Gary Thomas writes, “There’s a reason – a good reason – that the Bible records the ascension. It’s not a superfluous event, as if after Jesus died and rose from the dead, we can rush through the rest and say, “And, oh yeah, he went back up into heaven.” God’s inclusion of this historical fact in the written record of Scripture is both purposeful and significant. We might preach one hundred sermons on Jesus’ death and resurrection for every one preached on his ascension, but this serves only to reveal our cultural blinders. Christmas and Easter are ingrained in American culture and stand out on the calendar of the contemporary church. But we lose something when the ascension becomes a forgotten appendage to the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection.”
The Reality of the Ascension
Remembered and celebrated forty days following Jesus’ resurrection, the Ascension is the biblically recorded event during which Jesus left earth and rose to heaven. Below are a few New Testament verses that capture this incredible occurrence…
Mark 16:19 & 20
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Luke 24:50-53
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Acts 1:9
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. [1]
Hebrews 1:1-4
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.[2]
Romans 8:34
Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.[3]
As we review the above passages, it’s clear the risen Jesus was “taken up into heaven,” where “he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty of heaven,” and is “interceding for us.” In fact, it’s also clear that the day of Pentecost and the giving of the Holy Spirit were directly correlated to the Ascension of Christ.
The Significance of the Ascension
In the words of Gerrit Scott Dawson, “The ascended Jesus is the reigning Jesus. Of all the meanings of the ascension, this one is preeminent: Jesus has gone up to the right hand of God the Father, exalted above every name and power. He reigns.”
Similarly, author Gary Thomas writes, “Celebrating Christmas gives us faith; it affirms that our beliefs have roots in the historical fact of the incarnation. Celebrating Easter gives us assurance; it affirms that Christ wiped away our sins by his great sacrifice and triumphed over death. Celebrating the ascension gives us hope and points us towards transformation; it affirms that we can become more and more like Jesus is right now.”
In short, the Ascension shouts that Jesus Christ is the ruling Lord of this fallen, broken world. It’s not just that he will reign when he comes again or that he did reign over death, but that he is reigning right now!
Do you remember the book “In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon? (Sorry, but your answer to this question will surely “date” you.) From this popular religious title, first published in 1896, came the familiar abbreviation “WWJD?” (What Would Jesus Do?) Many people today only know this question via the acronym, often embossed on shirts, book-marks and a variety of other items. I’m not suggesting this is a bad question to ask, but it’s a question rooted in the incarnation and a bit disconnected from the Ascension. In “WWJD?”, we often look back and consider what we know of Jesus, as communicated through the Gospel accounts, and ask the question, if Jesus were still here, what would he do? However, as we remember and embrace the truth of the Ascension, “WWJD?” becomes “WIJD?” (What IS Jesus Doing?) The Ascension shouts that Jesus is present and active! His Spirit not only dwells within us, but Jesus reigns on high and is engaged in our world and our lives. And, this reality not only transforms a nifty acronym, it transforms our very lives and ministries!
As we remember the Ascension, we’re reminded:
· To involve him in our goal setting and planning, but to be adaptable and open to God’s leading as we move forward. As Proverbs 19:21 states, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” And, again in Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
· To build time into our schedule to listen and ask him, What are you doing? And, how can I join you Lord? This is similar to what we see in Jesus’ life in Mark 1:35-38, where we read “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
· To be sensitive as we go about our lives and ministries; listening and moving in step with his leading. A great example of this can be found in Acts 8:26-39, when Philip has a God-ordained and life-changing encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch. In this passage it says, “The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
· To trust God’s active involvement and sovereignty, even when things aren’t going the way we would like. In the words of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
So, What Now?
As we approach yet another Ascension day in May, let’s purpose to remove any “cultural blinders” (in the words of Gary Thomas), and remember that Jesus is not only alive; his seated at the right hand of the father; he reigns and is actively engaged in our lives and in our world! Let’s live in the power and hope of this truth. Let’s seek to allow Jesus to radically transform our lives and the lives of those around us, and to remember that he is with us. Please join with me in remembering the ascension through this “Anglican Ascension Prayer.”
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen
Written by: Jonathan Schultz