Ascension

The Ascension is a Christian doctrine that describes the bodily ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven after his resurrection from the dead. It is a central tenet of Christian belief, and is celebrated annually on the Feast of the Ascension, which falls forty days after Easter.

The Ascension is not explicitly mentioned in the Gospels, but it is alluded to in several passages. For example, in Luke 24:51, Jesus tells his disciples that he must "go up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." And in Acts 1:9, Jesus is taken up into heaven "while they were looking on."

The Ascension is also mentioned in several epistles. For example, in Ephesians 1:20, Paul writes that Jesus "has been raised and seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly places." And in Colossians 3:1, Paul writes that Christians have been "raised with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms."

The Ascension is a significant event in Christian theology because it marks the completion of Jesus's earthly ministry and his return to the Father. It also marks the beginning of a new era in salvation history, in which Jesus reigns as king over all creation.

The Ascension has several important theological implications. First, it shows that Jesus is fully human and fully divine. As a human being, Jesus was subject to death. But as God, he was able to overcome death and ascend into heaven. This shows that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.

Second, the Ascension shows that Jesus has triumphed over sin and death. Jesus's death on the cross was a victory over sin, and his Ascension was a victory over death. This shows that Jesus has conquered sin and death, and that he has opened the way to eternal life for all who believe in him.

Third, the Ascension shows that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God. This means that Jesus has been exalted to the highest place in heaven, and that he now has authority over all creation. This shows that Jesus is the Lord of all, and that he is worthy of our worship and obedience.

The Ascension is a central tenet of Christian belief, and it has important theological implications. It shows that Jesus is fully human and fully divine, that he has triumphed over sin and death, and that he is now seated at the right hand of God. The Ascension is a reminder of Jesus's victory over sin and death, and it gives us hope for eternal life.

In addition to the theological implications mentioned above, the Ascension also has several practical implications for Christians. First, the Ascension reminds us that Jesus is no longer physically present on earth. This means that we cannot see or touch him, but it also means that he is always with us in spirit. Second, the Ascension reminds us that Jesus is our king and our savior. He has ascended into heaven to rule over all creation, and he has saved us from our sins. Third, the Ascension reminds us that we are called to follow Jesus. He has gone before us, and he has prepared a place for us in heaven. We are called to live our lives in obedience to him, and to share the good news of his salvation with others.

The Ascension is a glorious event that celebrates Jesus's victory over sin and death. It is a reminder of his love for us, and it gives us hope for eternal life. Let us rejoice in the Ascension, and let us live our lives in obedience to Jesus, our king and our savior.