It can be difficult to know what to talk about after Easter. The best thing has already happened, so what’s left to say? True, the story of the Bible reaches It’s climax at Easter: the death and resurrection of Jesus are central to our faith. But what happens next – Jesus’ ascension into heaven – is also a very important moment in God’s story, and that for lots of reasons.
- At his ascension, Jesus received glory, honour, power and authority that he hadn’t previously had on earth. “God has highly exalted him” (Phil. 2:9), which made it possible for the Holy Spirit to be sent to his followers.
- It is because he ascended that Jesus now sits at God’s right hand. This means that his work on earth is now completed, and he now reigns in heaven (Eph. 1:20-21; 1 Pet. 3:22). But he’s not just sitting inactively; Jesus reigns actively and will continue to do so forever.
- In addition, Jesus’ ascension points forward to when we too will be taken up to heaven to be with God (1 Thess. 4:17). Because we are united in and with Christ, we can participate in his life, death, resurrection and ascension. And this is pictured in things like baptism, communion and even marriage. So, even though life can be hard, we know that we do not “run the race” in vain – we have a future hope and home to look forward to (Heb. 12:1-2; John 14:2-3). We also have been given some of Jesus’ authority here on earth, so that we don’t have to be afraid of anything that is thrown
at us. Jesus leaving his disciples was a good thing for them – and for us – so let’s celebrate this exciting event in the same way that Jesus’ followers did: by worshipping him and carrying out his mission in the world.