He Ascended…
“he ascended into heaven…”
One of the greatest challenges, when trying to study sections of the Creed, is: “Where does one separate the thoughts?” This is no exception. We could have included this with Christ’s resurrection, but I believe the Ascension needs some attention of its own. Christ arose, we have no doubt about that. But then, there was another action that was unheard of in human experience. He ascended in to heaven. Luke records it this way:
“When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?” He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”
These we“re his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.””
-Acts 1:6-11 (MSG)
In all of Scripture, there are only two incidents of someone lifted bodily in to heaven. The first is Elijah and the second was Christ. Christ’s Ascension state quite clearly for anyone who has ears to hear that Jesus was not just a holy man. Indeed, he is God Incarnate.
As people of faith, we don’t often give enough attention to the Ascension. We are either people who focus on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, or people who focus on the empty tomb and the resurrection. But it is the Ascension of Jesus that tells us without a doubt that Christ will return!
The debate continues today as to when Christ will return. For some it will be following the Rapture, others take it on a more individual basis. To be honest, it matters not how or when, just knowing that Christ will come.
That great hymn of faith, “How Great Thou Art,” puts it this way:
“When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my Heart!”
And the Book of Job states it thus:
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”
-Job 19:25-27 (NRSV)
The point for me is this, when Christ returns does not matter. What matters is the knowledge that Christ will return. And the knowledge that even though he ascended, he is still here, alive and watching over each of us every minute of every day! And the best news for me is that when my life is over, I will behold my Savior forever!
Loving God, thank you for your Son and the promise that because he lives, so shall we. Bless us each day and give us the courage and strength to live boldly as your children. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Podcast coming soon!!!
