Whatever happened to Jesus?

Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:8)

Today is one of the most important days in the Christian 'calendar', yet it's one of the most ignored. It's Ascension Day, when forty days after rising from the dead Jesus ascended into heaven. Most Christians never give it a thought; maybe because it's always on a Thursday, when most of us are working.

It's important because Jesus could not just rise from the dead and stay on the earth. He had to ascend so he could take his place ruling and reigning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords at the right hand of the Father. That's what he's doing in heaven right now: all his enemies are being made a footstool for his feet. He had to ascend to the heavenly realms because when we get saved we're raised up there with him too, even though we're living on the earth.

And something else. If Jesus had not ascended then he couldn't have sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, just ten days later. The coming of the Spirit is the proof that Jesus is where he said he'd be. And right now his ascended power and glory is unleashed on the earth through the Holy Spirit, living in his people.

Comments

[Louise]

Hallelujah!!! Awesome post, Roger!!! Lord Jesus sent Holy Spirit, so that He could live in our hearts! I recently heard this: Lord Jesus is Lord over the church...and Holy Spirit is Lord inside the church!!!

I'm glad that Lord Jesus ascended, because it means that there is an "inside", as well as an "over".

=-)