The Ascension of Christ

Last May 1, as I read Our Daily Bread devotional for that day. I was reminded that it has been 40 days since we last commemorate Christ’s resurrection. Which means, May 1 is Ascension Day, a day often neglected by many Christians. The New Testament Scripture in Acts 1:3-11 narrates what happened at this time some 2,000 years ago.

Acts 1:3-11
“³After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. ⁵For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

⁶So when they met together, they asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

⁹After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

¹⁰They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

What can we learn from these passages:

1. The ascension of Christ commence the coming of the Holy Spirit (vv.3-5).
2. The coming of the Holy Spirit is for us to be empowered, and become witnesses of Jesus Christ (vv.6-8).
3. The ascension of Jesus Christ effectively calendared His Second Coming (vv.9-11).

Now as we reflect on these biblical facts, let us be vigilant that we do not concern ourselves with other things than those Jesus Christ has reminded us. Last words are important words. People who are leaving or dying will never utter insignificant word, but only things that are of importance. How much more Jesus? Let us not allow worldly concerns cloud us of more important things. The believers at that time, mostly Jewish, were so concerned of the restoration of kingdom of Israel, that they almost miss the more important points (v.6). Witnessing about Jesus Christ is the single most important task each and every believer. May God continually remind us of this one fact, not only during Ascension Day but everyday. For definitely, Jesus will one day return just as He had promised (John 14:1-4).