Forty days after His glorious Resurrection from the dead, Jesus performed one final, awe-inspiring act on Earth: He ascended into heaven! This wasn't just Jesus saying goodbye; it was a profound moment that marked the completion of His earthly redemptive mission (His entire work of saving us) and His triumphant return to God the Father. (You can read about it in the Bible, in Acts 1:6-11).
The Ascension is much more than just a final farewell. It actually signifies a new and dynamic way Jesus is present with us now. Before, He was confined to one place at a time, like any human body. But now, He is no longer limited by time or space! He reigns universally as Lord of all – meaning He is everywhere! From His place in heaven, His Church (which is all believers united in Him) continuously draws its divine strength and authority. He's still with us, just in a different, even more powerful way.
Right before He ascended, Jesus gave His Apostles an incredibly important job, known as the Great Commission. He told them, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:18-20). This was a sacred command, a special mission!
"Go and make disciples": Spread the Good News about Jesus to everyone.
"Baptizing them": Welcome new followers into God's family through baptism.
"Teaching them": Help them understand and live out everything Jesus taught. This powerful instruction isn't just for the first Apostles; it empowers the Church, through all generations, to eagerly continue Jesus' saving work until His glorious Second Coming, when He returns to Earth.
The Ascension also has other deep meanings. It signifies Christ's full glorification – meaning Jesus, in His human and divine nature, now fully shares in the glory of God in heaven. And from His place of honor "at the right hand of the Father," He provides continuous intercession for us. This means He is constantly praying for us, advocating for us, and speaking on our behalf to God the Father. He has gone ahead of us, like a pioneer, to prepare a place for us, thereby opening the definitive (final and sure) way to heaven. This gives us immense hope for our ultimate heavenly destiny!
The disciples, watching Jesus ascend, were initially gazing upwards in awe, perhaps feeling a bit sad or lost. But then, angels appeared and divinely redirected them, reminding them that Jesus would return the same way, but their immediate focus needed to be on their mission on Earth. They were told to eagerly await the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This monumental event of the Ascension directly prepares for Pentecost, which would happen just ten days later. It ensured that the Apostles would not be left alone; instead, they would be divinely empowered by grace through the Holy Spirit to courageously spread the Gospel message to the very ends of the earth. The Ascension profoundly reminds us of our ultimate goal – a life forever in heaven with God – and the enduring, vital mission of the Church (and each of us!) to share Jesus' love and truth with the world.
Scripture Passages:
Acts 1:9-11: "After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'"
Matthew 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"7
Mark 16:19: "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.”
Reflection Questions:
The text states that the Ascension was not just a farewell, but marked the completion of Jesus’ earthly redemptive mission. What does the Ascension signify about Jesus' new way of being present with us, no longer limited by time or space?
According to the text, Jesus gave His Apostles a special mission known as the "Great Commission." Name and briefly describe the three main instructions Jesus gave them in this command.
From His place in heaven "at the right hand of the Father," what two specific roles does the text say Jesus now performs for us?
How does the event of the Ascension directly prepare the Apostles for Pentecost and their mission on Earth, according to the summary?
Multiple Choice Questions
According to the text, how long after His Resurrection did Jesus ascend into heaven?
a) Ten days later.
b) Forty days later.
c) Three days later.
d) The same day.
The text says that after the Ascension, Jesus "reigns universally as Lord of all," meaning He is no longer limited by:
a) His humanity alone.
b) The Old Testament laws.
c) Time or space.
d) His relationship with the Father.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three instructions Jesus gave in the Great Commission, as mentioned in the text?
a) Go and make disciples of all nations.
b) Give away all your possessions.
c) Baptize them in the name of the Holy Trinity.
d) Teach them to observe everything He commanded.
From His place of honor "at the right hand of the Father," what does Jesus do for us?
a) He waits for our prayers to be answered.
b) He provides continuous intercession and prays for us.
c) He sends new Apostles to take His place.
d) He watches to see who is following His commands.
After Jesus ascended, what did the angels tell the disciples to do?
a) To stand and continue looking into the sky.
b) To go back to their homes and rest.
c) To eagerly await the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit and focus on their mission.
d) To immediately start building a new church.