Ascension Day

The celebration of Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven forty days after his resurrection, Ascension Day marks the culmination of his earthly ministry and the beginning of his heavenly reign. Witnessed by disciples at the Mount of Olives, Jesus’s departure inaugurates the age of the Spirit and the church’s mission.

Biblical Account

Luke’s Gospel (24:50-53)

Briefest Account:

• Jesus led disciples out to vicinity of Bethany
• Lifted up hands and blessed them
• While blessing, taken up into heaven
• Disciples worshiped him
• Returned to Jerusalem with great joy

Acts 1:1-11

Most Detailed Account (Luke’s sequel):

Forty Days:

• Jesus appeared to disciples over 40 days
• Spoke about kingdom of God
• Gave command not to leave Jerusalem
• Wait for promised Holy Spirit

The Ascension:

• Gathered at Mount of Olives
• Asked: “Lord, are you now restoring kingdom to Israel?”
• Jesus: Not for you to know times/dates
• “You will receive power when Holy Spirit comes”
• “You will be my witnesses… to ends of earth”
• Taken up before their eyes
• Cloud hid him from sight

Angels Appear:

• Two men in white
• “Why stand looking into heaven?”
• “This Jesus, taken up from you, will come in same way”
• Promise of Second Coming

Mark 16:19-20

Concise Statement:

• “After Lord Jesus spoke to them, taken up into heaven”
• “Sat at right hand of God”
• Disciples went and preached
• Lord worked with them

Theological Significance

Exaltation of Christ

Seated at Right Hand:

• Position of authority and honor
• Philippians 2:9-11: “God exalted him to highest place”
• Psalm 110:1: “Sit at my right hand”
• Ephesians 1:20-23: Above all rule and authority

Completion of Redemption:

• Incarnation → Death → Resurrection → Ascension
• Full arc of salvation
• Mission accomplished

High Priest in Heaven

Hebrews Theology:

• Jesus as High Priest entered true sanctuary (heaven)
• Not earthly tabernacle but heavenly
• Interceding for believers
• Hebrews 4:14: “Great high priest passed through heavens”

Continual Ministry:

• Not absent but present differently
• Active in heaven
• Advocating for us
• Romans 8:34: “Christ Jesus… at right hand… interceding”

Promise of Return

Angels’ Words:

• “Will come back same way”
• Second Coming assured
• Ascension and return bookends
• Hope of final consummation

Coming of Holy Spirit

Necessary Departure:

• John 16:7: “Unless I go away, Advocate will not come”
• Ascension makes Pentecost possible
• Spirit’s age begins
• Empowerment for mission

Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses”

Kingdom and Mission

Great Commission Connection:

• Matthew 28:18-20 parallels
• “All authority given to me”
• “Go make disciples”
• Ascended King sends church

Cosmic Lordship:

• Not just King of Israel
• Lord of all
• Universal authority
• Every knee will bow

Historical Observance

Early Church

Pentecost Connection:

• Originally part of Pentecost celebration
• 50-day Easter season
• Distinct feast by late 4th century

Jerusalem Tradition:

• Procession to Mount of Olives
• Described by Egeria (4th century pilgrim)
• Reading ascension account at site

Medieval Practice

Outdoor Processions:

• Liturgical processions
• Blessing fields and crops
• Rogation days connection
• Agricultural prayers

Dramatic Representations:

• Lifting statue of Christ through church roof
• Sometimes releasing dove
• Visual teaching

Holy Day Status:

• Major feast
• Obligation to attend Mass
• No work

Reformation and After

Protestant Continuity:

• Maintained observance (most traditions)
• Scripture focus
• Less elaborate ritual
• Theological emphasis

Catholic Tradition:

• Remained holy day of obligation
• Solemn observance
• Paschal candle extinguished (Easter season ends)

Modern Observance

Date Variations

Traditional: Thursday:

• 40 days after Easter (Thursday)
• Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran
• Public holiday in many European countries

Sunday Transfer:

• Some Catholic regions moved to 7th Sunday of Easter
• Practical accommodation
• Mixed reactions

Liturgical Elements

Scripture Readings:

• Acts 1:1-11 (ascension account)
• Ephesians 1:15-23 or similar (exaltation)
• Luke 24:46-53 or Mark 16:15-20 (Gospel)

Hymns:

• “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise”
• “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
• “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”

Color: White/gold (celebration)

Paschal Candle:

• Lit throughout Easter season
• Extinguished after Ascension Gospel
• Symbolizes visible presence ended

Cultural Traditions

European Public Holiday:

• Germany, France, Netherlands, etc.
• Schools and businesses closed
• Long weekend (with Sunday)

Outdoor Services:

• Some churches hold services outside
• Hilltop services
• Remembering Mount of Olives

Ecumenical Services:

• Combined Christian observances
• Unity in celebrating Christ’s lordship

Theological Themes

Absence and Presence

Paradox:

• Jesus gone but present
• Visible presence ended, spiritual presence began
• Not less present but differently present
• Through Spirit, not flesh

Matthew 28:20: “I am with you always, to end of age”

Between Ascension and Return

Church Age:

• Living between comings
• First Coming (Bethlehem) → Second Coming (glory)
• Ascension inaugurates waiting period
• Mission meanwhile

Already/Not Yet:

• Kingdom inaugurated, not consummated
• Christ reigns, but not all acknowledge
• Victory won, final battle pending

Hope

Guarantee:

• If Christ ascended, He’ll return
• Our future assured
• Heaven opened to humanity
• Colossians 3:1-4: Our life hidden with Christ in God

Humanity Exalted

First Fruits:

• Human nature ascended to heaven
• Jesus as pioneer
• Where He is, we’ll be
• Dignity of humanity affirmed

The Nine Days

Ascension to Pentecost:

• Nine days between
• Upper Room waiting
• Prayer and expectation
• Anticipating Holy Spirit

Novena Tradition:

• Nine days of prayer
• Preparing for Pentecost
• Following disciples’ example

The Message

Ascension Day proclaims: Jesus is Lord. Not was, not will be, but is. Right now, at Father’s right hand, reigning over all.

The cloud that took Him isn’t hiding Him—it’s revealing His glory, like Shekinah cloud in tabernacle. Divine presence envelops Him.

And the disciples worship despite His departure. Why? Because they grasp: Ascension isn’t loss but promotion. Jesus hasn’t left them—He’s filling all things. His presence limited to one location gives way to presence everywhere through Spirit.

The angels rebuke star-gazing. Don’t stand looking up longingly. Get to work. He’s gone to send Spirit. You’ll be witnesses. Move.

“Why stand looking into heaven?” becomes the ascension challenge. Will we be wistful observers or empowered witnesses?

Jesus’s promise: “I’m with you always.” Ascended doesn’t mean absent. Enthroned doesn’t mean distant. He’s more present now than when physically in Galilee, because Spirit brings Him to every believer everywhere.

And the return promise: Same Jesus, same way. The feet that walked Galilee, pierced on Calvary, and ascended from Olivet will touch down again. Every eye will see. Every knee will bow.

Until then: Wait (for Spirit). Witness (to ends of earth). Watch (for return). Worship (enthroned King).

“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go.” — Acts 1:11

The King has ascended his throne. Long live the King. And come, Lord Jesus.