Today we worship at the momentous event in the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ — His Ascension into heaven. This event completes the work of Jesus. Remember when Mary was at the open tomb and discovers Jesus is not the gardener when he calls her name. She grabs hold of him but Jesus says: Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.
This is the pivotal moment that carries profound significance for our faith and daily living. The Ascension was necessary for the final stage of God’s redemption of humanity – the sending of the Holy Spirit to be God’s presence in the world to restore God’s true temple: Jesus himself said – very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And so too, St Paul declares the work of the Holy Spirit in us which we will hear about next Sunday on the Day of Pentecost. He says: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; And the necessary work of the Holy Spirit: No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit. All of this work hinges on the Ascension.
The Ascension affirms Jesus’ position as Lord. As Paul says in our 2nd reading: God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. When Jesus ascended, He did not leave His authority behind; instead, He ascended to take His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.
This is a powerful reminder to us that no matter the circumstances we face; No matter what the world looks like – no matter how out of control the world looks, Jesus reigns supreme. He is not a distant ruler but an ever-present help in our time of need. The Ascension also serves as a commission for us, the Church. As Paul said – he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
When the angels asked, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?”, it was a call to action. They were not to stay there waiting for Jesus to return but to go to the world proclaiming repentance and forgiveness of sins – the work of redemption and reconciliation. Like the angels who quizzed the women at the tomb to go: Why do you look for the living amongst the dead. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
There is an urgency in the angels’ words. Jesus did not call us to be spectators but participants in His mission. In Matthew’ version of the ascension, chapter 28:19-20, we receive the Great Commission:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” The Ascension empowers us to fulfill this Commission with the assurance that Jesus is with us always, to the very end of the age. The Holy Spirit is essential for the life of the Christian. Luther said this in his Small Catechism: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.
The Holy Spirit is essential for the life of the church, as again Luther explained:
In the same way the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, our Comforter, and our guide. His presence equips us with spiritual gifts, gives us boldness to witness, and leads us into all truth.
In our daily lives, we are never left alone; we walk with the same Spirit that empowered the apostles. The Ascension assures us of the promise of Jesus’ return. As the angels declared, This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” This is what John saw in his Revelation: “Look, he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him even those who pierced him” Our Savior, who ascended in glory, will return in glory. This promise offers us hope, especially in times of uncertainty and despair. It assures us that the story does not end with Jesus’ ascension but continues with His anticipated return when, as we heard last week “He will wipe every tear from our eyes” (Revelation 21:4).
So let us embrace the Ascension. Let it assure us of Christ’s ultimate authority at the right hand of God in the Heavenly realms but also here with us in his Holy Spirit. Let the Ascension compel us into action, filled with the Spirit’s power, and fill our hearts with hope for His return. As we go forth this week, let us keep our eyes not only on the skies but also on the work that God has called us to do here on earth.
