Ascension Day-- Seeing the Ascension

Text: “9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:9-11)

Not long ago I stumbled upon an interesting set of videos on YouTube. They’re produced by lawyers who are commenting on the live video stream from important cases that are going on. They comment on all sorts of cases, including some that have made big headlines. You can find their commentary on quite a few recent cases. They covered the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, for example. More recently, they’ve fixated on the case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Obviously, the cases, themselves, can be pretty interesting. But what intrigued me about their videos was their live assessment of what was going on. Whose testimony is really important and whose was not as important? What evidence really gets at the heart of the issues and what doesn’t? What moments are really pivotal in the case? Without that commentary, it would be hard for most of us to follow along with what’s happening, let alone see what’s important and what’s not. That’s a useful analogy for Ascension Day— first, for the apostles and, second, for you and me.

Matthew’s gospel records that, the apostles, themselves, met Jesus on the mountain from which He would ascend. There, it says they worshipped him— but some still doubted (Matthew 28:17). The book of Acts tells us that the apostles were asking Jesus that day if it was finally time for Him to restore the Kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6). After Jesus ascended, that same book tells us that a pair of angels had to tell the apostles that they could leave; that He wasn’t coming back until the Last Day (Acts 1:10-11). They were seeing it; they were hearing Him; but they were not grasping what was happening. They were not seeing why this moment was so important. It was lost on them.

You and I certainly struggle with that, as well. So where do we turn to see what’s really important in the ascension? No, I’m not going to turn on YouTube. (Sorry.) But, thankfully, God, Himself, has given us that commentary. He has pointed us to why the ascension is so important.

He did it through Enoch. Do you remember what Enoch is known for? Genesis 5 tells us that was taken directly up to heaven— he did not see death— because he had pleased God (Genesis 5:21-24). “Enoch walked with God and pleased Him, Preaching truth and doom to come. And today Jesus, our Enoch, is translated To His everlasting home” (adapted from LSB #494, “See the Lord Ascends In Triumph,” stz. 3).

He did it through Aaron, the first high priest. Every priest that followed was from among his descendants. They, alone, were called to serve in the holiest place— in the very presence of God. Now our heavenly Aaron— our Great High Priest— enters With His blood within the veil (adapted from LSB #494, “See the Lord Ascends In Triumph,” stz. 4).

God shows us what is really happening today through Joshua— the one who led the Children of Israel across the Jordan River and led them as they took possession of the Promised Land. With the ascension, Joshua now is come to Canaan, And the kings before Him quail. Now He plants the tribes of Israel In their promised resting place (adapted from LSB #494, “See the Lord Ascends In Triumph,” stz. 4).

He shows us what is really happening today through Elijah. That great prophet famously passed on to his successor, Elisha, a “double portion” of his spirit— honoring him as a firstborn son. Today, our Great Prophet bestows a double portion of His grace upon all who look upon His ascension by faith (adapted from LSB #494, “See the Lord Ascends In Triumph,” stz. 4).

These are the commentators you and I look to in order to see what is really going on today. What today really means.

And still, the full meaning goes so much further. The author of the book of Hebrews invites you: “14 Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens… 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14, 16). Why?

Because the One who sits on the throne, ruling over heaven and earth, was not ashamed to be called your brother (Heb. 2:11). You know that you can approach His throne in prayer with the certainty of receiving mercy and finding grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).

Because, when the Ascended One returns, it will not be to deal with your sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (Heb. 9:28).

Because you will approach His throne on the Last Day in full assurance of faith, with your hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience by the blood of Christ and your bodies washed with pure water (Heb. 10:22).

Because the Ascended One, who will come to judge the living and the dead on the Last Day, has already been judged guilty in your place so that the judgement you will hear on that day will simply be, “Well done.” He has ascended and taken His place at the right hand of the Father so that He might also raise you up with Him and seat you with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Because, from now until the last day, your conscience has been purified from dead works to serve the living God (Heb. 9:14), enabling you to present your bodies, themselves, as a living sacrifice— your whole life, everything you do, is a spiritual act of worship (Rom. 12:1).

It was a very simply, albeit miraculous, moment. The descriptions of the ascension take only a few short verses to describe it. But today, through people like Enoch, like Aaron, like Joshua, like Elijah, you truly see the Ascension.