The meaning and message of Ascension Day.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ is the Christian teaching in the New Testament about the event when Christ was taken up to heaven in his resurrected body, in the presence of eleven of his disciples. It happened 40 days after his resurrection. Jesus ascended to his Father and to the throne of the Father, where he is at God’s right hand and reigns over his Church and has dominion over everything, both visible and invisible.

We believe that his second coming will take place in the same way – he will one day again descend in bodily form.

Ascension Day is therefore celebrated on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter Sunday. (On 14 May in 2015.) This celebration was first observed in the second half of the 4th century. It is still observed by followers of Jesus Christ for longer than 1 600 years.

But, what do we believe is the meaning and message of this day?

1. What does “He ascended into heaven” means?

That Christ, in the sight of his disciples, in his human nature and resurrected body, was taken from the earth to heaven, and is still there today in a position of divine authority and power, until he shall come again to judge the living and the dead.

2. Is Christ then not with us as he has promised?

Christ is true man and true God. According to his human nature he is now not on earth but in heaven, but as our God, Saviour and King he is always with us.

3. What benefits do we have because Jesus Christ ascended into heaven?

Firstly: He is our Advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven, always praying for us.

Secondly: Because he is in heaven as a human being, we know that he as our Head will also take us, his human followers, there.

Thirdly: He sends his Spirit to us, by whose power we seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and not the things on the earth. The glorious Christ, enthroned in heaven, pours heavenly gifts on us, defending us against all our enemies and protecting us from evil.

(See Heidelberg Catechism)