Acts 1:9-11 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. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.”
It’s rather unfortunate that Christ’s ascension has been relatively neglected in the thought and writings of Christian theologians throughout the past 2,000 years—especially so, since the ascension of Jesus is so central to our salvation and such a key event in His life and ministry.
If you consider Jesus’s life and ministry only to then stop at the resurrection, you stop short of salvation—you stop short of an ever-living Intercessor, a great High Priest, a reigning King. You stop short of some of the most staggering realities of the Gospel!
Because He ascended, we shall ascend! Because Jesus reigns, we shall one day reign with Him!
Think about it, saints. Without the ascension, the incarnation of our Lord leads to nothing. Without the ascension, the perfect life of Jesus amounts to nothing. Without the ascension, the sacrificial death of Christ comes to nothing.
I would never attempt to minimize the crucifixion or the resurrection—by no means. But it seems very right to maximize the neglected reality of Christ’s ascension! If the resurrection proclaims that Jesus is alive forevermore, the ascension proclaims that Jesus reigns forevermore.
Peter Orr “The ascension of Jesus affirms His glory. God has exalted His Son to the place of glory at His right hand. A human being has been exalted to God’s right hand as Lord forevermore.”
For Luke, the ascension of Jesus is the hinge on which his two-volume writings turn.
Oh, I think it quickly becomes clear that we need to think more often and more deeply about the ascension of Jesus, church! So, let’s get into the text!
Let’s work together here to understand what Scripture tells us of Christ’s ascension. And yes, you must work! It isn’t just me at work in preaching. You must work to hear—maybe even more so when I’m the one preaching to you!
We’ll consider the ascension of Jesus from three different angles: I. Historically Accurate, II. Theologically Significant, and III. Practically Relevant.
For starters, then, let’s look at the facts of the ascension as we consider this substantial event historically.
I. Historically Accurate
Acts 1:9-11 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. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.”
It’s important to recognize from the outset that this scene is historical fact. This really happened! A real Jesus—born of a real virgin, nailed to a real Roman cross, three days later alive again, walking out of a real tomb—is now going to be taken up and out of their sight.
Luke, as a capable historian, is writing this accurate, eyewitness account of things that really happened! To Theophilus he emphasized that he had written “an orderly account for you” so that he could “have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
I stress this because so many in our postmodern age do far too much vacillating and live under a cloud of uncertainty—as though none of us can truly know anything we know. As surely as Ronald Reagan was our nation’s 40th president, or as surely as rain falls on Denton County, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven that day!
Always remember, Christianity isn’t merely a religion or an ideology or some political philosophy where you can slice and dice ideas and develop various opinions about this or that aspect of the Christian faith.
No, Christianity is rooted in actual history. It rests upon pillars of facts!
Facts about the person and work of Jesus Christ—life-changing facts!
“Okay, okay, brother! We get it! Why beat this drum!?”
Because you waver far too much, that’s why. You need such reminders and so do I!
Also, because this is what Luke is telling us in the text. He goes the “extra mile” to be sure we understand the facts in our text! Five times over Luke tells us that the ascension of Jesus was visible—it was observed by those apostles: “they were looking on,” “out of their sight,” “while they were gazing,” “why do you stand looking,” “in the same way as you saw him go.”
Do you see the multiplied statements here?
The God-man—Jesus in all His humanity, in His flesh—ascended into heaven! The Apostles’ Creed states it clearly and succinctly: “He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.” A glorious fact of Christian history!
Let’s briefly journey together through the combined account Luke provides for us from the final chapter of his Gospel and this opening chapter of Acts.
Jesus led this dear group of apostles to a hillside just outside of Jerusalem (Luke 24:50). And there He spoke to them, even dealing with their question about the coming of the kingdom (Acts 1:6-8).
And then Jesus lifted His hands and blessed them (Luke 24:50-51).
This blessing, no doubt, resembled the Aaronic blessing we read about in Numbers 6—Jewish tradition in priestly blessing involves the lifting up of the priest’s hands.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
And after blessing them—seemingly His final words to these apostles—Jesus was carried up in a cloud into heaven right before their eyes! (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9)
To have those words of commission spoken by Jesus, followed by His high priestly blessing over them, followed then by His being taken up into heaven before their very eyes—this was the powerful emphasis, the yellow highlighter, double underlining of Jesus’s last instructions to them!
Then, as Jesus vanishes from their sight and the apostles stand gazing up into the sky, two men in white robes appear and redirect their gaze to the work at hand while assuring them of Jesus’s return (Acts 1:10-11).
The apostles needed to stop staring and start proclaiming!
You can probably tell that this “leaving” was different than the others. This time there was a kind of permanence to it (aside from His future return). This worshiping group then returns to the city in much joy, blessing the name of the Lord! (Luke 24:52)
This is Luke’s sketch of the ascension of Jesus—a phenomenal and very substantial event in the life and ministry of Jesus, an event prompting all that is to take place on the soon-to-come day of Pentecost!
Yes! Before the Spirit could come, the Son must go!
Now, let’s consider the theology behind Christ’s ascension.
II. Theologically Significant
There are three significant connections that need to be made here:
- Elijah’s ascension foreshadows Christ’s ascension.
- Jesus was “lifted up” to heaven by the Father.
- The return of the King.
First of all, see the connection between Elijah and Jesus.
I pointed out earlier how Luke five times over stresses the point that the apostles see His ascension.
2 Kings 2:9-12 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.
Elijah promises Elisha a double portion of his spirit if and only if Elisha sees Elijah taken up to heaven. Not only is seeing the ascension an emphasis, but more importantly, the receiving of the Spirit—a double portion—is significant.
Elisha sees Elijah ascend to heaven, receives the promised double portion of his spirit, and then does twice the number of miracles. The apostles see Jesus ascend to heaven, they receive the promised baptism and power of the Holy Spirit, and the rest of the book of Acts testifies to the consequences of such an empowering!
Oh, for more of the Holy Spirit, beloved!
If only more and more among us would have the longings of Elisha—for a double portion of the Spirit!
Secondly, Jesus was “lifted up” to heaven by the Father!
The language of the text is passive, not active. Jesus was acted upon here by His Father in heaven. He “was lifted up” and a “cloud took him out of their sight.” In verse 11, again, He “was taken up from you into heaven.”
This is not insignificant at all!
This speaks to the Father’s confirmation that His Son’s mission was accomplished! This both validates the words and works of Jesus and vindicates His entire redemptive ministry! This was our loving Father calling His obedient Son home: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
This is all the more confirmed when we see the arrival of the cloud that took Jesus out of sight. Well, what’s the big deal about some cloud, you might ask! The cloud is a theme we could trace across the pages of Scripture.
The cloud was the physical, visible representation of God’s pleasure and presence.
This was no mere disappearance this time around, but rather His ascension to the Father! A triumphant and exalting departure! And what a contrast when we think back to His arrival!
His life began in a lonely manger—loved by an impoverished father and mother, wrapped in swaddling cloths, there among the animals. But now Christ finishes His earthly mission—clothed in a glory cloud, testified to by two angels, raised up to the very throne of the Almighty!
A cloud of glory—think of that!
This was the cloud that the Israelites followed day by day in the midst of the Exodus (Exodus 16:10). This was the cloud that covered the presence of the Lord as Moses was hidden in the cleft of the rock (Exodus 34:5). Moses pleads, “Show me your glory!” And “the LORD descended in the cloud…and proclaimed the name of the LORD.”
Beloved, this was the cloud that sat upon the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34), the very cloud that filled Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:11).
This was the same cloud that overshadowed Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration when His face was shining bright as the sun (Luke 9:34-35).
Luke 9:34-35 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”
The cloud that took Jesus out of their sight was a cloud of glory and a cloud of confirmation! Jesus’s cry from the cross—“It is finished!”—is all the more certain because of the Father’s validation here in our text!
And thirdly, we have the return of the King.
John Calvin “When Christ returned to heaven, He withdrew His physical presence from our sight. He didn’t stop being with the disciples BUT by the ascension fulfilled His promise to be with us to the end of the world. As His body was raised to heaven, so His power and reign have spread to the uttermost parts [of the earth].”
Because He ascended, He is now near to us all. His presence, His power, His government, and His care now extend to the very ends of the earth!
John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
The promise of the Father, poured out on the church by the Son, is the blessed Holy Spirit! The King of kings, exalted and ascended, is now seated on that throne of majesty and grace at the right hand of His Father—hallelujah! All glory be to Christ!
Hebrews 8:1-2 We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
And we are the better for it!
Psalm 24:7-10 “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!”
O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise!
Before finishing, it’s critically important to understand what the ascension means for us!
III. Practically Relevant
Likely, you’ve already picked up on some of the relevance for us today. I have wondered if some of the neglect of writing and teaching surrounding the ascension of Jesus is due to it being such an otherworldly part of Christ’s ministry to us.
The righteous life and perfect obedience of Christ was earthly. The crucifixion was gruesome and earthly. Even the resurrection is rooted in the earthly. But the ascension carries Jesus out of sight—no more to be seen by men with the eyes of flesh, but rather with the eyes of faith.
Let me submit that the significance of the event is very much proven by the experience of these saints following Christ’s ascension, as we see it all unfold in the book of Acts. The ascension, which then provided for the outpouring of the Spirit, is the spark which would quickly become a flame and then burn all over the world.
No ascension, no Pentecost outpouring. No outpouring, no mighty works of Christ through His church.
As much as the apostles needed the Spirit’s guidance, power, and help in the first century, we need the Spirit’s guidance, power, and help today! I want you to really wrap your head around this.
I want every single one of you—from this day forward—to regularly rejoice in the reality of the ascension.
I’ll let Martin Luther set the stage with this comment:
Martin Luther “What good will it do you, if you merely preach that he ascended up to heaven and sits there with folded hands? For this purpose did he ascend up there… that he might be down here… that he might fill all things and be everywhere present—which thing he could not do had he remained on earth.”
I hope the ascension is beginning to sound quite necessary by now! Let me conclude with seven substantial reflections that signify the relevance of Christ’s ascension.
1. His ascension is the church’s ascension.
With the resurrection, we can say that because He lives, we live, right? With the ascension, the same logic applies because of our union with Christ. Because the head of the church has ascended, so will every member of His body ascend. This is another pledge of our ultimate and final salvation, dear ones!
Ephesians 2:6-7 And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
2. His ascension is the basis of our union and communion.
Can you imagine if we had to go on pilgrimage halfway around the world to see or enjoy time with Jesus? Because of the ascension, we don’t. He is here, beloved! He is here!
It really was better for us that Jesus ascended into heaven and then sent forth His Spirit to the church! We can enjoy fellowship with this ascended Christ day or night, no matter where we are in the earth!
3. His ascension is the basis of His intercession.
Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Truly, now, He ever lives to make intercession for us! (Hebrews 7:25) No ascension—no heavenly intercession, no heavenly High Priest sanctifying our petitions and bearing our burdens.
4. His ascension is the basis of His advocacy.
1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
He is our advocate “with the Father,” even at the Father’s right hand. Because Jesus is there as Advocate, He is there to support us and help us here—even when we sin!
When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see Him there, who made an end of all my sin.
5. His ascension is the basis of our hope and encouragement to finish the race.
The ascension of Jesus marks the finish of His own race. So now we look to Him up there for grace to run well here—even to the finish line!
Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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.
6. His ascension is the basis of the sending of the Spirit upon the church.
This, of course, is what was promised and what we will see unfold in Acts 2. This again is Jesus saying:
John 16:7 “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
No ascension, no Pentecost Sunday in Acts 2!
7. His ascension is the basis of our assurance that He will return.
Acts 1:10-11 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.”
Even as Jesus went away in the cloud, so will He return in the clouds of the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Beloved, Jesus is coming again!
The first time as a Lamb to be slain.
The second time as a Lion to conquer and judge.
The ascension is critically important and joyfully relevant to us today, saints! With the victorious Jesus there, we can be assured of a victorious warfare here! In fact, this triumphant victory of Jesus becomes the very message we proclaim! His very ascension is part of the climax of this great Gospel we possess! This ascended Christ is the confidence behind the church’s every advance!
Oh, worship your ascended, enthroned King, church. Worship Him!
That’s exactly what the disciples did in their day:
Luke 24:52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy…