Honestly, if Ascension Day didn’t appear on our calendars 40 days after Easter, we’d likely never think about it. Sure, we know Jesus’ ascension had good reasons. But hey, we’re still stuck on earth.
In fact, have you ever wondered why we don’t we just ascend to heaven after we believe in Jesus?
The answer, of course, is that God’s goal for us is more than to believe in His Son. Jesus’ final words remind us of that.
Ascension Day offers a few good reminders.
During Christ’s entire ministry, the apostles had as their main concern their own roles of leadership in God’s kingdom. So, it’s no surprise they asked Jesus about it again after His resurrection.
His answer, however, rebooted their priorities:
It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. —Acts 1:7–8
In realigning their priorities the Lord also realigns ours.
1. Look Up: It’s not about the when—but the what.
Granted, now that Easter was over the timing made sense to the disciples.
In our impatience, we care a lot about timing. “Is it now, Lord?” Jesus redirected their when to an issue of what.
In between His going and His coming, Jesus has given us the job of being His witnesses. Just like the apostles, we can quickly crave the blessings of our own lives without considering the condition of others.
2. Look Around: Our purpose begins where we are.
Jesus’ final words to His Church—“be my witnesses”—came as a commission outlined by geographical parameters. The book of Acts reveals how the Holy Spirit used the Church to spread the gospel message successively:
Like ripples in a pond, the good news went out—but the splash began in Jerusalem. That’s right where we are today.
Preach the gospel every day; if necessary, use words. —Francis of Assisi
3. Look Forward: Jesus will also return one day for all Christians.
The coming of our Lord Jesus has at least two emphases we should consider:
Our purpose in life finds its answer in Jesus’ final words. Ascension Day is a wonderful time to look up, to look around, and to look forward.
Tell me what you think: What does Ascension Day make you think of? To leave a comment, just click here.