Any plans for this Thursday?

Consider the importance of this particular day

The Mount of Olives near Bethany in Israel, from which Jesus ascended into heaven

Certain faith traditions celebrate some days on the Christian calendar that more of us ought to consider, and Ascension Day is one such example.

Ascension Day is always on a Thursday, because it is always 40 days after Easter. This is because Acts 1:3 tells us that the time period from the day He was resurrected till the day He ascended into heaven was 40 days.

The gospel accounts clarify that the risen Christ physically appeared to His disciples, and others, multiple times. These astounding occurrences are, of course, the reason the disciples were transformed into virtually fearless preachers of truth. After all, Jesus’ first appearance to the group took place while they were locked in a room, dejected after the crucifixion and in fear of their lives.

But as Christ told them even before His crucifixion, He was going to leave them – but He wasn’t going to leave them alone:

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” – John 14:26

That supernaturally-empowered remembering part would prove crucial, since the apostles provided the source material for all the gospels.

Jesus also told them it was actually better for Him to leave (John 16:7) so the Holy Spirit could come, who would teach and guide them further into truth (John 16:13-15).

What actually happened on Ascension Day?

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. And it happened that while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. – Luke 24:50-53

What a difference from the first time He left them, 43 days earlier!

Mark provides an additional detail that is very important:

So then, the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. – Mark 16:19

So what is Jesus doing there, at the right hand of God? The Bible tells us:

• Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. – Romans 8:34b

• Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. – Hebrews 7:25

• My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous… – 1 John 2:1

If we belong to Him, Jesus continually intercedes or advocates for us. He is the reason we have unfettered access to our Creator, the reason we can pray – it is through the person of Christ that this is possible.

Luke, who wrote about the disciples’ response after the Ascension that was quoted above, also wrote the book of Acts, which he began by revisiting the Ascension story again. Dr. Daniel Schrock says this isn’t because Luke wanted to be repetitive, but because he wanted us to read everything that happens in the book of Acts in light of Jesus’ ascension to heaven. He notes:

We cannot really understand the events of Acts without understanding how they are connected to the exaltation of Christ at the right hand of the Father.

Luke himself referenced this reality later in Acts 7 when he reported on the martyrdom of Stephen:

But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” – Acts 7:55-56

And this reality of Christ’s ongoing intercession for us is the reason we are taught to pray “in Jesus’ name” (see John 16:23). Because calling on the name of Jesus is central to our very salvation. (See Acts 2:21 where Luke quotes from the book of Joel, and the definitive Acts 4:12.) As Dr. Schrock continues:

The significance of Christ’s ascension to heaven climactically changes the shape of prayer in redemptive history. From Acts forward, God’s people now pray to God through the name of Jesus, the One who has been made both Lord and Christ, and who is Himself praying for us in that exalted state.

A celebration of promise

Ascension Day clarifies the reality of Christ’s continuing work for us, but one more passage about this momentous event also clarifies a promise of immense joy:

And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:9-11

So now you have something to celebrate – and teach your kids – this coming Thursday, May 29.

Happy Ascension Day!