Today we celebrate the Feast Day of the Ascension. The importance of this day is recorded several times in Scripture and is highlighted in the earliest creeds of the Church. Today and on Sunday we celebrate the completion of Christ’s earthly ministry and his return to heaven where he is seated at God’s right hand in glory. We are told the disciples watched him ascend, but not before they were given instructions on how they should build the Church and spread the gospel.

According to our reading from Matthew (known as the Great Commission), the followers of Jesus are to make disciples of all nations. This mission will be worked out by baptizing people in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This work is inclusive, for God’s mission now includes the gentile world alongside the continuing Jewish mission. This work is also set within the framework of Trinitarian belief.

The act of Ascension is full of glory, awe, wonder and mystery. Jesus is seen to be reflecting the glory of God many times within the context of his earthly ministry; at his baptism, his transfiguration, upon the Cross, at his Resurrection and through his many resurrection appearances and now finally at the Ascension.

Notably many saints down through the ages physically saw ‘Christ in glory’. Two early examples would include the first Christian martyr St Stephen and of course St Paul during his encounter with the living Christ upon the Damascus road. Both Stephen and Paul are transfixed by the glory of God as the disciples surely were at the Ascension.

Likewise, we too are called to fix our eyes upon Jesus. Today is certainly a day to ponder deeply the power, glory and reign of Christ. Ascension provides a vital link between the work of Resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and Christ’s return in glory.

Ascension Day is a day for us to look back upon, giving thanks for all that Jesus achieved in his relatively short life here on earth. Ascension Day is also a day to consider the Church’s present-day witness: in what different ways are we seeking to fulfil the Great Commission?

Finally, we contemplate end times and the return of Jesus in glory. In our reading from Luke’s Gospel, Ascension is portrayed in terms of accomplishment. Jesus’ earthly work is now complete. The writer of Luke especially wants to stress this in terms of Jesus fulfilling the Law of Moses, the work of all the prophets (who foretold the Messiah), and in the realms of kingship, referred to frequently in many of the Psalms. Thus, the three-fold nature of Jesus as Prophet, Priest and King is especially apparent at his Ascension.

The writer of Luke also gives great emphasis to the work of forgiveness and reconciliation made possible by the Cross. The disciples are instructed to preach the gospel to all nations but first they are required to wait upon the coming Holy Spirit.

The final act of Jesus before the Ascension is, appropriately, to give his blessing, as he did so often throughout his life. As a result of this blessing the disciples are filled with great joy and they in turn are to be found in the Temple blessing God. This reminds us of the Prologue to St John’s Gospel in which we read that ‘from the fullness of God’s grace, we have all received one blessing after another’ (John 1:16).

The account of the Ascension as recorded in Acts has the added detail of two men in white robes who state: ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you see him go.’ Thus, emphasising the Ascension must also be understood within the context of end times and the establishment of the Kingdom.

Let us pray:

Risen and ascended Jesus,
help us to fix our eyes upon you and so fulfil our calling.
With joy, commitment and care may we by the power of your Spirit
share the gospel and become a blessing to many.
As we watch and wait for your return may we not grow weary
in love and service.

Amen.