But the Bible does not present the Ascension as Jesus simply \u201cleaving the story.\u201d 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\u2019s mission to the world \u2014 and the enacting of an eternal promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why the early church established a holiday for the event \u2014 even before they did for Christmas! \u2014 and included it in both of the earliest declarations of faith, the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019ve ever wondered what happened in those weeks between Easter and Pentecost \u2014 what Jesus did, where he went, and where he is now \u2014 this article will explain the event of Christ\u2019s Ascension, how it\u2019s been interpreted throughout Christian history, and what it means for us today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Ascension?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Ascension is the event in which the risen Jesus, after appearing to his disciples<\/a> one last time, was “carried up” or “taken up” into heaven and exalted at the right hand of the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Luke\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Bible, the Ascension closes out Luke\u2019s gospel with a short description in Luke 24:50-53<\/a>. Luke, who also wrote Acts, then extends his description a bit in Acts 1:1-11<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t 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 \u201cvanished from their sight\u201d (Luke 24:31<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n But that was not the Ascension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus reappeared to the disciples in Jerusalem shortly afterwards and \u201copened their minds to understand the scriptures\u201d (Luke 24:45<\/a>). Then he \u201cled them out as far as Bethany,\u201d blessed them, \u201cparted from them, and was carried up into heaven\u201d (Luke 24:50-51<\/a> RSV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n That<\/em> was the Ascension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Acts, though, Luke clarifies<\/a> that Jesus was with them for much longer than a single evening: 40 days, to be exact (Acts 1:3<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the only description<\/em> of the Ascension is in Luke\u2013Acts, Paul alludes to it several times in his epistles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peter also mentions it in his first letter (1 Peter 3:21-22<\/a>), as does the anonymous author of Hebrews 1:3<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And Jesus himself predicts his Ascension three times in John\u2019s gospel: John 3:13, 6:62, and 20:17<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ascension is a glorious event, but it can also introduce confusion. Does it supersede Jesus\u2019 bodily resurrection? Does it mean that Jesus abandoned us? What\u2019s the big deal about it, anyway?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s clear up some of those doubts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ascension is the final, culminating moment in Jesus\u2019 earthly ministry. It\u2019s not merely a post-resurrection coda but the hinge where the fulfillment of all that had come before \u2014 Jesus\u2019 teachings of repentance<\/a> and spiritual transformation and his once-for-all atoning sacrifice on the Cross \u2014 meets the promise of all that is still to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/em> reigns, even while the world still waits (and works) for the full public unveiling of his kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 <\/em>\u2014 ruler of the universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Ascension, Jesus brings his completed saving work into the presence of the Father. The letter to the Hebrews presents Jesus as the \u201chigh priest\u201d who appears before God on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14\u201316, 7:25, 9:24<\/a>). 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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: \u201cgo and make disciples\u201d (Matthew 28:19<\/a>) and \u201cfeed my sheep\u201d (John 21:17<\/a>). The Holy Spirit goes with them \u2014 and us \u2014 ensuring that even if we falter, we cannot fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a more subtle truth of the Ascension, as well \u2014 yet something no less astonishing: where the Resurrection redeems our fallen humanity, the Ascension brings it into heavenly glory through Christ\u2019s superabundant grace. Jesus promises that not only will we be resurrected in him; we will be \u201ctaken up\u201d and glorified in him, too (1 Thessalonians 4:17<\/a>, 2 Corinthians 3:18<\/a>, 1 John 3:2<\/a>, Romans 8:16-17<\/a>). This is a great and wondrous mystery, among the greatest in the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the Ascension points forward. The angels\u2019 message to the disciples, as they watch their Lord disappear once more into the clouds, is that he \u201cwill come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven\u201d (Acts 1:9-11<\/a>). This is the ultimate hope of all who profess Christ\u2019s name: that he will return to establish his kingdom among us once and for all, and in our presence will reign forever and ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no requirement in Christianity to celebrate Jesus\u2019 ascension \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most liturgical, \u201chigh-church\u201d 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2014 especially smaller ones unable to host additional weekday gatherings \u2014 will fold it into the following Sunday service (one Sunday before Pentecost).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baptist, Pentecostal, congregational, and nondenominational evangelical churches don\u2019t typically have dedicated Ascension Day services, though some may still feature the Ascension on the Sunday before Pentecost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, these churches may observe the Ascension through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if your church doesn\u2019t address the Ascension at all? You can still honor Christ\u2019s 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\u2019t already one offered at your church.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few ideas to get you started on a personal observation of the Ascension:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Historically, according to the Bible, Jesus ascended 40 days after Easter (Acts 1:3<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the dates for Ascension Day in the next few years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ascension gives an answer \u2014 or several \u2014 to the boy\u2019s question at the start of this article, \u201cwhen can we go visit him?\u201d Or in other words, where is Jesus now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n While we can\u2019t go and physically<\/em> visit with Jesus the way his disciples did, we can<\/em> visit with him spiritually any time, from anywhere, by reaching out to him in prayer and doing the will of his Father in heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> in us and all things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To celebrate the Ascension is to lift our eyes to Christ \u2014 and then, like the first disciples, to return to the world with worship, joy, prayer, and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go deeper into the Bible with <\/strong>Bible Gateway Plus<\/strong><\/a>! You get access to <\/strong>dozens of trusted study tools<\/strong><\/a> and commentaries that can help you explore genre, context, and meaning with greater depth and clarity. <\/strong>Get started with a free trial today!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Ascension is not a footnote to the Resurrection \u2014 it’s the hinge between Jesus’ earthly ministry and his heavenly reign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8876,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[457,470,458],"tags":[547,529,288],"yoast_head":"\nWhere Is the Ascension in the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere Else Is the Ascension Mentioned in the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What Isn\u2019t<\/em> the Ascension?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Why Does the Ascension Matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jesus Reigns as King<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jesus Intercedes as Priest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jesus Gives the Church Its Mission, and Sends the Holy Spirit to Accomplish It<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jesus Gives Us Hope for Embodied Glory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jesus Will Return<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Celebrate the Ascension<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ascension Day in Catholic, Anglican, and Other Liturgical Churches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ascension Day in Free-Church, Low-Church, and Non-Liturgical Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Celebrating the Ascension at Home or in Small Groups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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When Is Ascension Day?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion: Where Is Jesus Now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n