So just what does Jesus’ ascension mean to me?  As believers in the Lord Jesus, we know that he was resurrected from the dead. We celebrate this on Easter day. Often times we forget about the fact and importance that forty days later he ascended into heaven (Psa. 2; 68:18; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Heb. 4:4). For those who believe in Jesus Christ, here is why the ascension is important and meaningful to you:

 

Atonement was accepted by the Father

Atonement could be simply understood as at-one-ment, meaning it has to do with everything Jesus did, especially as our perfect high priest, to make us at one with God the Father.  A more theological definition would be “A sovereignly exercised love of God in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ that brings sinners to be at one with God.” (Rom. 8:28-39; Heb. 9:12; Titus 2:14; 1 John 2:1-2)

Stories have changed forever

When Jesus resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven, history changed forever. Not only did his story impact the world, but his story changed the story of our own lives when we come to trust in him. For example read and meditate upon Hebrews 10.

Christ is truly King

When Jesus was raised from the dead he went up into heaven in order to sit at seat of power and authority to rule as the only true king, not merely over the hearts of his people, but over all the universe (1 Peter 3:21-22 cp. John 3:35; Eph. 1:22; Phil 2:10; Rev. 1:5).

Example of our future state

His resurrected and ascended body is a promise as well as an example of what we will receive when God gives believers in Christ new bodies fit for the new heavens and new earth (Eph. 2:1-7; 2 Cor. 5:1-2; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1).

New life and future is assured

Jesus went up into heaven in order to prepare a new place for us. Our new life and a perfect future is guaranteed because of his ascension (John 14:2-3; Col. 1:15; Heb. 11:10; Rev. 21:1)

Spirit of God is sent from heaven

Just as jesus had promised, when he went into heaven he sent the Holy Spirit to us (Jn 16:7-15). His Spirit was sent in order to empower for believers for living, to give gifts to God’s Church, and to give us the means of grace by faith through his Word, baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:7-10; Romans 10).

Intercedes as our priest always and forever

Now that Jesus is at God’s right side he is constantly advocating and interceding for his own people (Heb. 9:24; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).

Oversees his church and kingdom

Not only does Jesus rule over all the universe (Heb. 1:1-4; 2:1-8; Rev. 11:15), but he specifically guards and guides his people and his kingdom (Heb. 3:3-6; Eph. 2:4-7; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 12:10; Rev. 17:14-18).

Never, ever, ever separated from God

Jesus’ ascension secures for us the promise that we who are in Christ by faith will never again be separated from God in love (Romans 8:28-39; Matt. 28:20; John 10:28; John 17:23).

 

While we celebrated Jesus’ resurrection from the dead forty days ago, we have reason to celebrate and rejoice in the fact of his ascension because of all that Jesus did for us and all he gives us because he was raised into heaven (Luke 24:50-53).

-dto

(This article is also posted in www.donowsley.com)