Eastertide #6

The One Who Ascended

(Ephesians 4:10)

 This Thursday is Ascension Day when the church celebrates how our resurrected Lord “ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill the whole universe” (Eph 4:10). There “far above the heavens” Christ receives gifts for his church which anticipates the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out in ten more days at Pentecost. From Christ’s ascension we receive…

            1.  Our heavenly Advocate, Christ Jesus, who “speaks to the Father in our behalf” (1Jn 2:1). Jesus knows us—he knows what it means to be human. And, it seems he has carried his humanity back into the Godhead, so that we speak of Jesus today as “the man Christ Jesus” who mediates in our behalf (1Tm 2:5). Or, to put it another way: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. So let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hb 4:15-16).

            2.  The Holy Spirit to keep us close to Jesus even when Jesus can no longer be seen going before us (Jn 14-16).

            3.  Meanwhile, Jesus is preparing a place for us in Glory so that where he is we will soon be (Jn 14).

In the early part of the eighteenth century, Charles Wesley gave the church the following ascension hymn:

Hail the day that sees Him rise,

To His throne above the skies,

 Christ, awhile to mortals given,

 Reascends His native heaven.

Him though highest Heav’n receives,

Still He loves the earth He leaves,

Though returning to His throne,

Still He calls mankind His own.

See! He lifts His hands above,

See! He shows the prints of love,

Hark! His gracious lips bestow,

Blessings on His church below.

The Christian calendar reminds us that Christ’s saving work continues after Easter Morning—there’s still more: “Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Ro 8). There’s more—there is always more.