THE NECESSITY OF THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST

Have you ever heard a sermon about the Ascension of Jesus Christ? If not, you’re in good company. Most pastors, if they mention it at all, use it as an exclamation point at the end of 40 days following His resurrection. Surprisingly, the ascension was hardly mentioned even by the Gospel writers. Matthew and John do not mention it at all. In Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:51, the Ascension is relegated to only one verse. In Acts 1:9, Luke writes, “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

The Ascension of Jesus Christ is that triumphal act that crowns both the royal and priestly ministries of Jesus Christ in which David’s heir ascends to reign and begins to function as our great High Priest.                                                                                                                                                                                          

The necessity of the Ascension can be demonstrated in the following 3 ways:

1. It was necessary in order that Christ might take up His priestly office.                                          

In Jesus “we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14) and is now seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3) From this position he began his priestly work as our Advocate (I John 2:1), our Mediator (I Timothy 2:5), and our Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25). As our sympathetic High Priest, we can bring any problem, issue, sin, loss of a loved one, etc. to the throne of grace and “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

2. It was necessary so that Jesus could send the Holy Spirit to provide his limitless presence.

Jesus promised his disciples that he would give them another Helper who would be with them forever (John 14:16). In John 16:7 Jesus said, “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 7:39 tells us that “The Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” So why is this important? Jesus’ earthly ministry was limited by space and time. He could only be with a few of his followers at once. But, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, his empowering presence is available to every believer, everywhere, at any time.

3. It was necessary to demonstrate that Jesus Christ reigns over all powers and authorities.                                                                                 

God’s power raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated him at the Father’s right hand (Ephesians 1:19-20). The words “rule,” authority,” “power,” and dominion” in verse 21 shows us that the Ascension of Jesus exalted him above every order of authority presently and in the future. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:6 that we have been “seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, with the result that we share in his exaltation and victory over the powers and authorities.”

In Ephesians 1:22 we learn that God put all things under Christ’s feet and appointed him as Head over the church. As the exalted, reigning king, who captivated sinful people by redeeming them, Christ gives the spoils of his victory—spiritual gifts to believers and gifted leaders to his Church (Ephesians 4:8, 11).

The Ascension of Jesus Christ provided his followers and believers today with power, grace, his presence, gifts, and anticipation of his return! Halleluiah!