Ascension: What's That About?

Today is the day on which the Church commemorates the Ascension, when Christ “was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19) I remember a conversation at Beer & Theology (a lovely Wartburg Seminary tradition) about the Ascension. Quite honestly, we didn’t know what to make of the whole thing. I’ve been thinking about it occasionally since then, and though I won’t pretend to have it figured out, I have a few thoughts that have begun to crystallize.

First, the fact that Jesus now sits at the right hand of God is significant. The right hand of God is the place from which God reigns (Psalm 110:1), and therefore Jesus’ placement there indicates that he is the definitive King of creation. More specifically, he is the definitive David: the King of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2) and the Lord of Israel “according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:29) Christ’s commandments and promises are not just the commandments and promises of a good man or wise teacher. Because he sits at the right hand of God, his Word has the authority of God himself: “On the Last Day the Word that I have spoken will serve as judge.” (John 12:48)

Second, the fact that the still-incarnate Christ has ascended to God indicates a fundamental change in the relation of the creation to our Creator. Whereas the incarnation of Christ is the descent of God to humanity, the ascension of Christ is the ascent of humanity to God. Ultimately, the former – God’s descent – is for the sake of the latter – humanity’s ascent. This means that God descends into creation not merely to be with us, but in order to lift us up to himself. That’s why Paul’s account of the Last Day (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) speaks of both Christ’s descent and our ascent, when we will be “caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever."

So ultimately I think Christ’s ascension to God points to two things: (1) that Christ is our authoritative Judge and definitive King, and (2) that God’s plan is for his people (those ruled by Christ the King) to be lifted heavenward and made to live with Christ and all his saints.

If you're reading this and going to Beer & Theology tonight, please put my vote in for the Ascension to be the topic of discussion. Happy Ascension of Our Lord Day.