Why the Ascension of Jesus Changes Everything
"After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." Acts 1 v 9
Imagine standing on a cliff or a mountain top watching someone you love disappear into the clouds. That's what the disciples experienced. But here's the twist: They didn't walk away devastated. They walked away joyful, energised, and full of worship. Why? Because they realised the Ascension wasn't an ending. It was a coronation.
I reckon Ascension Day, which we celebrated last week, is the poor relation in the Church calendar – it tends to be dwarfed by Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, although in years gone by there was a much greater emphasis on it – in fact, apparently in the past some schools had the day off on Ascension Day. Yet, even though it tends to slip by us almost unnoticed, the ascension of Jesus is absolutely critical to the Gospel and therefore to our salvation and our status.
So, What Actually Happened?
Acts 1:9 says Jesus was "taken up before their very eyes". This isn't about geography—Jesus didn't go "up" because heaven is above the clouds. It's about authority. It's the biblical way of saying: Jesus has gone home and taken His throne. The Ascension is the moment Jesus moves from the margins of Galilee to the centre of the universe.
So, Why Does the Ascension Matter?
Here are just a few reasons why this world-changing event is so significant:
Jesus Reigns Over All Things (Ephesians 1:20–23)
The Ascension means Jesus is not just alive—He is enthroned. He reigns over governments, history, suffering, the church, your life and mine. When life feels chaotic, the Ascension says: There is a throne and it is not vacant. As MPs jockey to be the next Prime Minister of this country, we can at least be assured that Jesus is going nowhere! This is why persecuted Christians throughout history have clung to the Ascension. It tells them: Caesar is not Lord. Jesus is.
Jesus Represents Us Before the Father (Hebrews 4:14–16)
Jesus ascends as a human being. He carries our humanity into the presence of God. This means you are not forgotten, you are not alone, you are not praying into a void. There is a human voice—your Great High Priest—speaking your name in the throne room of heaven and bearing before the Father the wounds of his atoning sacrifice. The Ascension says: You have an advocate with the Father who never tires, never forgets, never gives up.
We Are Seated With Jesus in Glory – NOW (Ephesians 2:6)
Scripture is clear that our destiny as Christians is to be with Jesus for eternity – this is the reason Jesus died. The night before he died, Jesus prays: "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory." (John 17:24). But in a sense we don't have to wait for the return of Jesus for this privilege – the first phase has already happened – our bodies may be walking round on earth, living and breathing in the reality of this fallen world – but spiritually, positionally, we are already seated with and in Jesus in the heavenly realms and nothing and no one can remove us from that place. Hallelujah!
Jesus Sends the Spirit to Empower Us (John 16:7)
Jesus says something outrageous: "It is better for you that I go away." Why? Because the Ascension triggers Pentecost. The Spirit comes because Jesus has taken His throne. The Spirit is not a consolation prize. The Spirit is the presence of the risen King living in and among His people. The Ascension means the church is not a fragile volunteer organisation. It is an unstoppable Spirit-empowered global movement.
Jesus Gives the Church Its Mission (Acts 1:8)
The Ascension is the moment Jesus hands the mission to His followers. Not because He's absent, but because He now works through us. The church becomes His hands, His voice, His presence in the world. The Ascension says: You are sent. You are empowered. You are part of something global, transformational and unstoppable – the words and works of Jesus continue through us.
Jesus Will Return as Judge and King (Acts 1:11)
The angels say, "This same Jesus… will come back." The Ascension points forward. It tells us history is not a doom loop. It is heading toward a glorious day when evil is judged, creation is renewed, justice rolls down, the King returns. The Ascension says: The story ends well!
So what does the Ascension mean for us today?
When the world feels unstable—Jesus reigns. When you feel weak, guilty and weighed down by sin—Jesus intercedes. When you feel alone—Jesus sends His Spirit. When you feel directionless—Jesus gives you a mission. When you feel hopeless—Jesus is coming again.
The Ascension is not Jesus going away. It is Jesus taking His rightful place so He can be present with us in a deeper, wider, more powerful way than ever before.
Blessings, Rev Rob
