What Is the Ascension? The Meaning and Power of an Overlooked Event

This year on Easter Sunday, after months of guiding the church school through the life, miracles, and teachings of Jesus, a children’s minister I know finally got to tell them about the glory of the Resurrection. She explained how everything led up to that moment, its incredible significance for Jesus’ followers, and its enduring power for us today. And then a little boy raised his hand and said, “So, when can we go and visit him?”

For many Christians, like that boy, there’s a bit of a mysterious gap between Easter and Pentecost. Jesus is risen, then poof, he’s gone, sending the Holy Spirit in his stead.

But the Bible does not present the Ascension as Jesus simply “leaving the story.” Instead, it is a major event inaugurating the enthronement of the risen Christ, the beginning of his heavenly ministry for us, the launch of the Church’s mission to the world — and the enacting of an eternal promise.

That’s why the early church established a holiday for the event — even before they did for Christmas! — and included it in both of the earliest declarations of faith, the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.

So if you’ve ever wondered what happened in those weeks between Easter and Pentecost — what Jesus did, where he went, and where he is now — this article will explain the event of Christ’s Ascension, how it’s been interpreted throughout Christian history, and what it means for us today.

What Is the Ascension?

The Ascension is the event in which the risen Jesus, after appearing to his disciples one last time, was “carried up” or “taken up” into heaven and exalted at the right hand of the Father.

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus blesses the disciples near Bethany after dining with them in Emmaus and is then taken up. Then in Acts, Luke gives the fuller account: Jesus spent 40 full days with the disciples, teaching about the kingdom of God, promising the Holy Spirit, and commissioning the disciples as witnesses. Then, he is finally lifted up while they watch.

Where Is the Ascension in the Bible?

In the Bible, the Ascension closes out Luke’s gospel with a short description in Luke 24:50-53. Luke, who also wrote Acts, then extends his description a bit in Acts 1:1-11.

If you don’t read Acts, it at first seems like Jesus was only with the disciples briefly, for a day or so. He appeared among his disciples as they were walking toward Emmaus from Jerusalem, broke bread with them that evening, and then “vanished from their sight” (Luke 24:31).

But that was not the Ascension.

Jesus reappeared to the disciples in Jerusalem shortly afterwards and “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). Then he “led them out as far as Bethany,” blessed them, “parted from them, and was carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:50-51 RSV).

That was the Ascension.

In Acts, though, Luke clarifies that Jesus was with them for much longer than a single evening: 40 days, to be exact (Acts 1:3).

Where Else Is the Ascension Mentioned in the Bible?

Although the only description of the Ascension is in Luke–Acts, Paul alludes to it several times in his epistles:

• Romans 8:34
• Ephesians 1:20
• Colossians 3:1
• 1 Timothy 3:16

Peter also mentions it in his first letter (1 Peter 3:21-22), as does the anonymous author of Hebrews 1:3.

And Jesus himself predicts his Ascension three times in John’s gospel: John 3:13, 6:62, and 20:17.

What Isn’t the Ascension?

The Ascension is a glorious event, but it can also introduce confusion. Does it supersede Jesus’ bodily resurrection? Does it mean that Jesus abandoned us? What’s the big deal about it, anyway?

Let’s clear up some of those doubts:

• The Ascension is not a denial of Jesus’ bodily resurrection. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after the Resurrection, even they wondered if he was just a ghost. That’s why Luke is careful to clarify that Jesus retained his physical features. He still had wounds in his flesh from his crucifixion, which he invited them to touch, and he broke bread and ate fish with them (Luke 24:36-43, see also John 20:27-28).
• The Ascension is not Jesus abandoning the Church. Jesus’ ascension into heaven to reign at the right hand of the Father was foretold (Psalm 110:5; Daniel 7:13-14; John 20:17), and it leads directly to him sending the Holy Spirit into our midst (Acts 1:8, 2:1-4). It’s also important to note that heaven in the Bible is not presented as a distant land far away from our own, but a holy spiritual kingdom breaking into our world through the joint work of the Trinity. So not only did Jesus not abandon us, but being in heaven allows him to be closer to us than before he ascended!
• The Ascension is not merely a “travel scene.” It’s not a convenient narrative conceit to explain why Jesus isn’t physically among us. Like the crucifixion and Resurrection, it was prefigured in the Old Testament, predicted by Jesus, and elucidated by the apostles as the fulfillment of the Messiah’s earthly ministry by inaugurating his royal enthronement, establishing his priestly intercession, and setting up the promise of his return.

Why Does the Ascension Matter?

The Ascension is the final, culminating moment in Jesus’ earthly ministry. It’s not merely a post-resurrection coda but the hinge where the fulfillment of all that had come before — Jesus’ teachings of repentance and spiritual transformation and his once-for-all atoning sacrifice on the Cross — meets the promise of all that is still to come.

Jesus Reigns as King

The Ascension means Jesus has been enthroned as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is not hiding somewhere waiting to become Lord later; he already reigns, even while the world still waits (and works) for the full public unveiling of his kingdom.

Knowing that Jesus is enthroned as Lord of all should help us to live out his call with comfort and confidence. The world may seem chaotic sometimes, but behind it all, gradually guiding and renewing it, is the risen Lord and pantokrator — ruler of the universe.

Jesus Intercedes as Priest

In the Ascension, Jesus brings his completed saving work into the presence of the Father. The letter to the Hebrews presents Jesus as the “high priest” who appears before God on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14–16, 7:25, 9:24). This means Christians can not only live confidently in future hope of heaven and Christ’s unfolding kingdom, but we can pray boldly in the assurance that Jesus is not only our Lord; he is also our advocate.

Jesus Gives the Church Its Mission, and Sends the Holy Spirit to Accomplish It

Jesus is clear that the Ascension and Pentecost go together. He tells the disciples to wait for power from the Holy Spirit before they go out as witnesses. And once they do, their mission is twofold: “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) and “feed my sheep” (John 21:17). The Holy Spirit goes with them — and us — ensuring that even if we falter, we cannot fail.

Jesus Gives Us Hope for Embodied Glory

There’s a more subtle truth of the Ascension, as well — yet something no less astonishing: where the Resurrection redeems our fallen humanity, the Ascension brings it into heavenly glory through Christ’s superabundant grace. Jesus promises that not only will we be resurrected in him; we will be “taken up” and glorified in him, too (1 Thessalonians 4:17, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 3:2, Romans 8:16-17). This is a great and wondrous mystery, among the greatest in the Gospel.

Jesus Will Return

Finally, the Ascension points forward. The angels’ message to the disciples, as they watch their Lord disappear once more into the clouds, is that he “will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). This is the ultimate hope of all who profess Christ’s name: that he will return to establish his kingdom among us once and for all, and in our presence will reign forever and ever.

How to Celebrate the Ascension

There’s no requirement in Christianity to celebrate Jesus’ ascension — but it was clearly important to the early church, and if you want to honor the event, there are several ways you can do so. Here are some ideas for liturgical, non-liturgical (or free-church), and casual or at-home gatherings.

Ascension Day in Catholic, Anglican, and Other Liturgical Churches

Most liturgical, “high-church” traditions have built-in programming for Ascension Day every year. Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and even some Methodist and Reformed churches may observe the Ascension with:

• Eucharist or Holy Communion.
• Appointed Scripture readings such as Luke 24, Acts 1, and Ephesians 1.
• Special collects and prayers.
• Hymns focused on Christ’s reign.
• Preparation for Pentecost.

These services sometimes occur on the formal feast day of the Ascension, known as Ascension Day. Ascension Day is traditionally the 40th day after Easter, a Thursday. Other churches — especially smaller ones unable to host additional weekday gatherings — will fold it into the following Sunday service (one Sunday before Pentecost).

Ascension Day in Free-Church, Low-Church, and Non-Liturgical Settings

Baptist, Pentecostal, congregational, and nondenominational evangelical churches don’t typically have dedicated Ascension Day services, though some may still feature the Ascension on the Sunday before Pentecost.

Instead, these churches may observe the Ascension through:

• A sermon sometime between Easter and Pentecost.
• A Bible study on Acts 1.
• A prayer night focused on mission and the Holy Spirit.
• A worship set centered on Christ’s reign.
• A renewed emphasis on the Great Commission.
• Family or small-group devotions during the days before Pentecost.

Celebrating the Ascension at Home or in Small Groups

What if your church doesn’t address the Ascension at all? You can still honor Christ’s enthronement privately, with family and friends, or by joining or starting a small group dedicated to exploring the meaning and mission behind the event. (Talk to your pastor about how to get one of these started if there isn’t already one offered at your church.)

Here are a few ideas to get you started on a personal observation of the Ascension:

• Read Luke 24:50–53 and Acts 1:1–11 aloud. Consider exploring them deeper using a study Bible or other Bible study tool.
• Pray through relevant words related to the Ascension, such as: reign, intercede, send, return.
• Ask: “Where do I need to trust Jesus’ reign?” Or: “Where is Jesus calling me to witness?”
• Pray daily between Ascension Day and Pentecost: “Come, Holy Spirit.”

When Is Ascension Day?

Historically, according to the Bible, Jesus ascended 40 days after Easter (Acts 1:3).

So Ascension Day is traditionally observed on the 40th day after Easter, a Thursday. In some churches, it is observed on the following Sunday instead (one Sunday before Pentecost).

Here are the dates for Ascension Day in the next few years:

• Ascension Day 2026: Thursday, May 14, or Sunday, May 17
• Ascension Day 2027: Thursday, May 6, or Sunday, May 9
• Ascension Day 2028: Thursday, May 25, or Sunday, May 28
• Ascension Day 2029: Thursday, May 10, or Sunday, May 13

Conclusion: Where Is Jesus Now?

The Ascension gives an answer — or several — to the boy’s question at the start of this article, “when can we go visit him?” Or in other words, where is Jesus now?

While we can’t go and physically visit with Jesus the way his disciples did, we can visit with him spiritually any time, from anywhere, by reaching out to him in prayer and doing the will of his Father in heaven.

The Ascension shows us that Jesus is not missing, inactive, or far away. He has absolutely not forgotten or abandoned us. He is the crucified, risen, and exalted Lord. He reigns over all things, prays with and for his people, pours out the Spirit, sends the Church into the world, and will come again in glory to bring about his new creation in us and all things.

To celebrate the Ascension is to lift our eyes to Christ — and then, like the first disciples, to return to the world with worship, joy, prayer, and purpose.

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