Celestial Diary

A little more than a month ago we celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was a season of reflection, repentance, gratitude and cleansing. Jesus Christ died for us on the cross so we might be saved and not only did He wipe away our sins, He also defeated death by rising again on the third day as He said He would do.

For about forty days He appeared to His disciples, comforting them, teaching them and preparing the way for the Holy spirit and then finally He returned to His rightful position. This event is what we know as the ascension of Christ.

The event is described in the Bible where Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, ascended bodily into heaven. This event is very important in Christian theology as it has several meanings and implications:

• Completion of Jesus’ Earthly Ministry: The ascension marks the completion of Jesus’ earthly ministry. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for forty days, teaching them about the Kingdom of God and commissioning them to spread the Gospel to all nations. His ascension signifies the end of this training period and His return to the heavenly realm.
• Exaltation and Glory: The ascension is a moment of exaltation for Jesus. By ascending into heaven and being seated at the right hand of God the Father, Jesus is honored and glorified as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This position of authority signifies Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and the powers of darkness and it’s God’s way of publicly recognizing Jesus as His Son and honoring Jesus for successfully completing His task.
• Continuation of Jesus’ Work: Despite ascending into heaven, Jesus continues His work on earth through the Holy Spirit. Before His ascension, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower His disciples for ministry (Acts 1:8). The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost fulfills this promise, allowing the disciples to carry out the mission of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
• Intercession and Advocacy: Jesus’ ascension also signifies His role as the heavenly intercessor and advocate for believers. As He sits at the right hand of God, He mediates on behalf of His followers, interceding for them before the Father (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). This gives us the confidence that our prayers are heard and that we have a High Priest who understands our weaknesses.
• Hope of His Return: The angels who appeared to the disciples after Jesus’ ascension declared that He would return in the same way He ascended (Acts 1:11). This promise gives us hope that Jesus will come again to establish His kingdom in its fullness, judge the world with righteousness, and make all things new.
• Affirmation of Jesus’ Humanity and Divinity: The Ascension affirms both the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ. As Jesus ascended into heaven in bodily form, it confirms His humanity—His physical resurrection was not merely spiritual but bodily. At the same time, His ascension to the right hand of God affirms His divinity, as He takes His rightful place of authority alongside the Father in the spiritual realm.
• Empowerment for Ministry: The Ascension gives us power for ministry through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from on high (Luke 24:49), which occurred on the day of Pentecost. This empowerment allows us Christians to proclaim the Gospel boldly and carry out Jesus’ mission in the world as portrayed in the bible.
• Assurance of Heaven: The Ascension provides assurance to us of our future destiny in heaven. Just as Jesus ascended into heaven, so too will those who belong to Him. His ascension serves as a forerunner to the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him, where they will be united with Him forever.
• Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy: The Ascension fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the exaltation and reign of the Messiah. Psalm 110:1, for example, prophesies that the Lord would sit at the right hand of God until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. Jesus’ ascension fulfills this prophecy, demonstrating His victory over sin and death.
• Foundation for Christian Hope: The Ascension serves as a foundation for Christian hope, reminding us believers that Jesus is ruling and reigning over all things. This hope sustains us in times of trial and suffering, knowing that our ultimate victory is secured in Christ.
• Call to Kingdom Living: The Ascension calls us to live in light of the coming kingdom of God. As citizens of this heavenly kingdom, we believers are called to embody its values of love, justice, mercy, and compassion in our daily lives, working to bring about God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.

As modern-day Christians, there are several practices and reflections we can engage in during the period of Ascension.

1. Prayer and Reflection: Spend time in prayer, meditation, and contemplation, asking God to reveal more of Himself to you and to help you understand the implications of Jesus’ exaltation and His position in heaven.
2. Study Scripture: Dive into the Bible, particularly passages related to the Ascension and its theological significance. Explore passages such as Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:50-53, Ephesians 1:20-23, and Hebrews 4:14-16 to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’ exaltation and its implications for believers.
3. Celebrate in Worship: His ascension is a joyful occasion so celebrate this season with special songs, hymns, and prayers.
4. Reflect on Mission and Ministry: Consider how the Ascension empowers and commissions believers for mission and ministry. Reflect on Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8, where He promises the Holy Spirit’s power for spreading the Gospel. Think about how you can actively participate in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
5. Live in Hope: Allow the reality of the Ascension to shape your perspective on life and your hope for the future. Remember that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, ruling and reigning over all things, and that one day He will return in glory to establish His kingdom fully. Let this hope sustain you through life’s challenges and uncertainties.
6. Cultivate Kingdom Values: Seek to embody the values of God’s kingdom in your daily life. Practice love, justice, mercy, and compassion in your interactions with others, reflecting the character of Christ who reigns in heaven.
7. Prepare for Pentecost: Anticipate the coming of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early church. Use the period of Ascension as a time of preparation and expectation for the empowering presence of the Spirit in your life and in the life of the church. Who knows, maybe you can receive the gift of speaking in tongues.

Stay Blessed x