The Season of Resurrection: Ascension

Acts 1:1-11 
    In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
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Where has Jesus gone? You would think that the disappearance of their teacher, mentor, and friend so quickly after His torture, death, and resurrection, would leave the disciples in a bit of a funk. They react to His ascension, however, with joy. (Luke 24:52) How can this be?

Saint Peter helps us understand in his first sermon recorded in the book of Acts. “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.’” (Acts 2:32-36. Emphasis added.)

Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven, not to be distant from His people, but to enter fully into His divine right: all the limitless, unending power of God. The Jesus who died to reconcile sinners to God now rules all things for your good. 

“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:34-35; 37-39. Emphasis added.)

Jesus is not “gone.” He is glorified. And this is good news for you and me. If you are guilty, you may confess to your King and expect forgiveness. If you are hungry, you may beg from your King and He will feed you. If you are lonely, you can trust that your King is with you in that exact moment, for by His divine power He fills all things. 
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My favorite hymn is “Look, Ye Saints, the Sight Is Glorious.” The final verse says, “Hark, those bursts of acclamation! Hark! those loud triumphant chords! Jesus takes the highest station; O what joy the sight affords! Crown Him! Crown Him! King of kings, and Lord of lords!” The One who died for you now rules the universe with you on His mind and for your good. What joy, indeed! 

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