Perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of Jesus’ ministry is His Ascension. Christians and pagans alike are baffled at the image of Jesus ascending into the heavens. Despite our professed allegiance to Christ as God and man who lived, died, and rose again, we cannot help but think like Post-modern pagans that what happened on Ascension Day is Christ disappearing not merely from sight but also in impact, in effect, and indefinitely. Should we speak our doubts out loud, then we would say that Jesus is away.
But God is never away. Christ the God-man returns into His glory to rule and reign. Christ returns to the very glory He dwelt in since before the foundation of the world, even before He enacted the Father’s command “Let it be.” The glory that Christ provided Peter, James, and John a glimpse at His Transfiguration is the glory Jesus ascends to as He sits in authority all the while ruling both the heavenly and earthly realms at the right hand of the Father.
We hear the fulfillment of the Psalms ringing throughout Ascensiontide. While the pagans rage and plot vainly, and as the rulers of the earth take counsel against the Lord God and Christ, “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” (Psalm 2:1-4, ESV). Our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, reigns from on high and the Father in His infinite patience and love continues offering an open hand with a pardon to rebellious mankind. Mercifully and graciously, the Father advises the orchestrators and antagonizers of rebellion:
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
- Psalm 2:10-12, ESV
Ascensiontide is a time to look up and remember that God reigns even amidst the madness. His patience and His love is displayed through the promise that all His elect shall be saved, redeemed, and the lost sheep of Israel gathered together into one flock: that is, the Body of His Son, the ark of salvation, His Church.
And to preview Pentecost Sunday, our mission that Christ gives His Church is to cast nets and fish for those same pagans who now mock Christ, as we once did. Yes, we especially once mocked and denied Christ, and yet when He revealed Himself upon the Cross, enthroned, high, lifted up, we were yet drawn to Him in this display of Divine love, and like the thief on the Cross we change our minds – we repent – and beg, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And even this late confession and repentance is a mustard seed faith to which our Lord promises, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43, ESV). Cast your nets, O Church, for the Spirit is at work in His Body because Christ reigns from on high. The Holy Spirit of God is active and present, even in us lazy servants of God, every time we share the Gospel: Christ has died for your sins and is risen – and not empty-handed, for:
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.
- Psalm 68:18
Simply put, Christ’s Ascension is crucial to our salvation. It is necessary. It renders humanity’s ability to enter into the Lord God’s presence without fear. It is why we receive it from the Scripture, profess it in the creeds, and confess it in our 39 Articles of Religion (Article 4).
You may ask yourself, “Why is it necessary for salvation? Surely, he is exaggerating…”
I am not, and more importantly, do not take my word for it but take up the Holy Word of God into your hands, read, and believe.
We see through a mirror darkly 