Day 153

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 4.

“… with which He also ascended into heaven,…“

Scripture Lookup

Mark 16:19

Acts 1:9-11

Reflection

Staring at the sky, the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven. Before planes and rockets, before any notion that man could travel by air, Jesus did miraculously go up to His Father. The ascension of Jesus has always been somewhat of an overlooked event. There are no big holidays surrounding it. So what about the ascension is important? As the angels say to the disciples, “Why do you stare at the sky?”

Jesus, victor over death, had to go back to the Father. He was looking forward to it, sharing with His disciples that it was to happen. (See John 6:62; 16:5; 20:17, for example.) It was fitting that He be exalted in the heavens, since He no longer needed to be subject to the weaknesses of life on earth. Jesus now enjoys the place at the Father’s right hand, and is reigning there.

If Jesus had not ascended, we would not receive the Holy Spirit. “Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ” (John 16:7) We have the Comforter as a result of Jesus sending Him to us!

With the ascension of Jesus, we are taught how He left, and how He will come back. He will return in the same body that He ascended with, and it will be an event that cannot be missed. Jesus will be seen. His power will be demonstrated, and His authority as Lord will not be denied.

Thus the ascension of Jesus is not a passing afterthought in His life. It was foreordained from eternity past, proclaimed in advance by Jesus, and fulfilled forty days after His resurrection. It is an event of great importance, and one for which we can praise Him.

Questions to Consider

• How does the ascension of Christ affect your life right now?