The ascension of Jesus Christ is one of the most important events in Christian theology. After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, He spent 40 days appearing to his disciples and teaching them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). At the end of this period, Jesus ascended into heaven, being lifted up in a cloud as his disciples watched (Acts 1:9). The ascension marked the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and his exaltation to the right hand of God the Father in heaven (Mark 16:19).
The ascension holds great theological significance for several reasons:
1. It fulfilled Old Testament prophecy
The ascension was the fulfillment of Psalm 68:18, which says “When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious—that you, O Lord God, might dwell there.” Jesus’ ascension to heaven was the prophesied event where He would be highly exalted after accomplishing His mission on earth.
2. It signified Jesus’ victory over sin and death
After dying on the cross for the sins of the world and being resurrected from the grave, Jesus ascended to heaven victorious over the powers of sin and death. His ascension was proof that Jesus had decisively broken the power of sin and that death could no longer bind Him. The ascension showed that Jesus had overcome all His enemies.
3. It marked Jesus’ exaltation
The ascension was when Jesus was glorified and highly exalted to the place of greatest honor, the very throne of God. After experiencing terrible humiliation and suffering on earth, Jesus now experienced joyful exaltation as He took His seat on the heavenly throne. As Philippians 2:9-10 says, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.”
4. It allowed Jesus to intercede for believers as High Priest
An important part of Jesus’ ongoing work is His role as the great High Priest, constantly interceding for those who belong to Him (Hebrews 7:25). The ascension put Jesus in the position to directly intercede for His people as He stands in God’s presence on their behalf. This ministry guarantees believers continued access to God through Christ.
5. It allowed the sending of the Holy Spirit
At His ascension Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit was poured out on Jesus’ followers, just as He had promised. The ascension enabled this sending of the Holy Spirit which empowered believers for ministry and service.
6. It allowed Jesus to prepare a place for believers
In John 14:2-3, Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to His Father’s house to prepare a place for them so that one day they can be with Him. His ascension allowed Him to do this work of preparing an eternal dwelling place for all those who know and love Him. One day believers will join Him there.
7. It gives believers hope
The ascension reminds believers that though Jesus is no longer on earth, He is still alive and ruling over the universe. He is still intimately involved in their lives, guiding the overall direction of world events, and preparing a place for His people with Him forever. This gives believers great assurance and strength to persevere.
8. It allows Jesus to be present everywhere
At Jesus’ ascension, He was no longer limited by a physical body but was instead present fully everywhere through the Holy Spirit. This allowed Him to be present and accessible to all believers as they pray and serve Him. Believers don’t have to travel to one location to be in Jesus’ presence, because He is spiritually present to all His followers.
9. It demonstrated Jesus’ transforming resurrection body
As Jesus ascended, His disciples witnessed His resurrection body being taken up and enveloped in the glorious splendor and brightness of divine light. This demonstrated that Jesus’ physical body was transformed and perfected, never to experience brokenness and death again. The ascension displayed Christ’s glorified body as a foretaste of the resurrection bodies believers will receive.
10. It served as a powerful witness to the world
The ascension strengthened the disciples’ witness to the world. They knew Jesus was the risen Savior because they saw Him ascend into heaven with their own eyes. This emboldened them to preach the Gospel, because no one could deny that they had personally witnessed the ascended Christ. The ascension confirmed that Jesus is the mighty King and Lord over all.
In conclusion, the ascension was a major milestone in Jesus’ exaltation after His earthly ministry. It allowed Him to assume His rightful place on the heavenly throne, intercede for believers, send the Spirit, and prepare eternal dwellings for His people. The ascension gives believers great assurance of Christ’s reign, care, and eventual return. This important event is one of the key pillars of the Christian faith.
