After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight (Acts 1:9).

The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, as witnessed by His disciples, marks not only the culmination

of Jesus's earthly ministry but also the beginning of a new era for His followers. The ascension signifies

several key truths that are foundational to our faith and understanding of God's plan for humanity.

Firstly, the ascension of Jesus represents His exaltation and enthronement. In ascending to heaven,

Jesus took His rightful place at the right hand of the Father, signifying His ultimate authority and

dominion over heaven and earth (Ephesians 1:20-22). This act of enthronement reminds us that Christ is

now reigning as King, and His Kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope.

Secondly, the ascension underscores the role of Jesus as our High Priest and Intercessor. Hebrews 4:14-

16 describes Jesus as the great High Priest who has passed through the heavens. This ongoing

intercessory work provides us with the assurance of our salvation and the confidence to approach God's

throne of grace.

Furthermore, the ascension was a necessary precursor to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The ascension, therefore, sets the stage for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who empowers the church to

continue the mission of Jesus in the world.

The ascension also points us toward the future return of Christ. Just as He was taken up into heaven, He

will come back in the same way (Acts 1:11). This promise of Jesus's return fills us with hope and

anticipation, motivating us to live faithfully as we await His coming Kingdom.

How does the reality of Jesus's ascension and current reign affect your understanding of His lordship over

your life and the world? In what ways are you living in anticipation of Jesus's return? How does this shape

your priorities and actions?

The ascension of Jesus is not an ending but a profound beginning. It marks the transition of Jesus's work

on earth to His work through His body, the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we reflect on this

significant event, let us live with a sense of purpose and anticipation, knowing that we serve a risen and

ascended King. Let's embrace our calling to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, grounded in the

promise of His presence and empowered by the Spirit until the day of His return. The ascension reminds

us that our faith is dynamic, forward-moving, and always anchored in the hope of Christ's ultimate

victory.

By Jim Connell

Jim is the Founder and retired director of Lexington Rescue Mission and author of FaithAnswersPress.net

and JesusIsLordBlog.com