Acts 1:3-4a, 7a, 8-11 – [After Jesus rose from the dead,] He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father … He said to them, … “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 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.”

Note to readers: This is an alternate reading from the Three Year Lectionary, and may not match up with the readings your church uses this Sunday.

Ascension Day is one of those holidays that a lot of Christians never think of. It’s always on a Thursday, for starters; and work or school makes it harder for people to get together to celebrate.

But sometimes I think our ignorance keeps us from celebrating. Why is Jesus’ ascension important? Is it just God’s way of ending the story of Jesus’ visible earthly life, or is there something more going on?

I think there’s something more. Because the first thing to notice is that Ascension is not the undoing of Jesus’ incarnation. Jesus keeps His human nature, including His flesh, blood, and bones; He will keep them forever. And that means there is a human being at the center of the universe, sitting at the right hand of God the Father. We have a friend—a relative!—in high places; and we can cry out to Him when we need help, being absolutely sure that He loves us and will speak on our behalf.

Because that’s the other meaning of Ascension. Jesus now has power and authority over the whole universe, including our world. God the Father has done this so Jesus can “give eternal life to all whom You have given [Me]. And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:2b-3). Jesus uses that authority to bless us with eternal life, life full of joy and love and peace.

So as we get on with our lives in this dark and broken world, we have the joy of knowing that Jesus is watching over us and caring for us. While He was on earth He lay down His life to rescue us and to bring us from death to everlasting life; and now that He is risen from the dead and rules in heaven, what other wonderful gifts will He give us?

WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, I am glad that You watch over us. Keep us safely with You until the day You return in glory. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Jesus gave us a job to do, just before He left. What was it? (See Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20.)

2. How much of this work remains to be done? Check the internet for help.

3. What gift has He given us to make it possible for us to share the good news about Jesus? (See Acts 1:8.)