“He Ascended into Heaven” – Why This is Really Good News!

And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. – Luke 24:50-53

The month of May is always a busy one for families, schools, and ministries, it seems. In the church, we will be celebrating Confirmation on May 6 and praying that God will strengthen our 8th graders to keep the promises of faithfulness that they will make, trusting that God is faithful first and foremost. We have a Voters Assembly on May 14 with some big decisions ahead as we move forward by God’s grace at Hope. Additionally, there’s the celebration of Mother’s Day, college graduations, spring concerts and productions, athletic events and end-of-year banquets, and the Memorial Day weekend.

And almost every year, snuck into the calendar on a Thursday in this busy month, is the day where we remember the Ascension of Our Lord (this year, it’s May 10th). It seems to come and go with little notice – without the fanfare of Christmas or Easter. And yet, the ascension of Jesus into heaven forty days after His resurrections is an absolutely crucial piece of the salvation story! It is the moment where our Savior and King takes His rightful place in the position of all honor and authority, the position from which He continues to operate even today, ruling over all things and directing the mission of the Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. From heaven, Jesus…
• Prepares a place for us so that we may live with Him forever (John 14:2-3).
• Intercedes on our behalf before the Father, always speaking as our Advocate (1 John 2:1).
• Sends forth the Holy Spirit to empower the church and gift Christians for service in the mission (Ephesians 4:8).
• Fills the whole universe, keeping His promise to be with us always (Ephesians 4:10).

And because you are joined to this same Jesus in baptism and live by faith in Him, your destiny is glory, as surely as Jesus reigns from heaven (Colossians 3:1-4). So if you find yourself drifting, wondering where to find hope and meaning for life, don’t hang your head and look down! Don’t look around at everyone else! Look up, to where Christ is! For where He is, there you will be also. And trust that even now Jesus is in the position of all authority and power, and that He is always exercising His authority for the good of those who love Him. There is no power on earth that can match His. There is no evil that can overcome His ultimate good. Jesus is ascended, and our hope is secure!

Christ’s peace and joy,
Pastor Baye