Week 38: The Ascension  

• Key verses: Acts 1:9-11; John 14:1-4; John 16:7; Romans 8:34
• Why he had to leave this way
• 3 reasons he needed to leave
• Parting thoughts

Key verses

Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11 (NLT)

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

John 14:1-4 (NLT)

 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

John 16:7 (NLT)

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.

Romans 8:34 (NLT)

Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Why he had to leave this way

He couldn’t die, so his departure needed to reflect that. Think about that. Jesus was resurrected in human, physical form. The apostle Thomas touched his hands. He is not a ghost.

Because of this, it makes no sense for him to just disappear. The disciples would have expected him to keep showing up or went to look for him. Instead, he is taken up to heaven physical form. And in the true nature of God, he sent two angels to tell the disciples to quit looking into the sky. Jesus will return. Now is the time to work.

3 reasons he needed to leave

I find these reasons the most compelling for me.

To make way for the Holy Spirit

Jesus is God in physical form. He was resurrected as a living human and he is still God. Before he left, he promised to send the Holy Spirit who be with us all at the same time. How awesome is that!

To be our lawyer in heaven

I chose “lawyer” because it’s the most relevant word and role in our society today. Jesus pleads, intercedes, and advocates on our behalf while sitting at the right hand of the Father. Unlike lawyers, Jesus always wins his cases because he sacrificed himself in our place.

To prepare heaven for us

I don’t what this means exactly, but it very nice to know he is ready for us when we come.

Parting thoughts

The ascension of Jesus is really incredible and necessary. I am glad we don’t have to go looking for him. We know exactly where he is. Given my terminal disease, I’m so glad he is prepared for me to join him. Since we all have a terminal condition, death is curse but also our pathway to Jesus in person for everyone who has trusted him and his sacrifice for us.