Happy Ascension Day!

So technically this was yesterday but I haven't been to bed yet so it still feels like yesterday to me, and I've only just got round to writing this...so for the sake of this blog, it's Ascension Day today! :-P

As quite a "Low-Anglican Church" attending Christian, Christian 'celebrations' aren't really observed all that much, and most of the Christians I know don't really celebrate days such as today, or even know when these special occasions are. As someone who refuses to be defined as 'religious' (because following Jesus is a relationship not a set of rules and regulations), it may seem strange that I am commenting on this religious, traditional celebration. I do disagree with just celebrating Jesus's ascension on Ascension Day, just as I would disagree with only celebrating Jesus's death and resurrection over the Easter weekend.  But I still think it is important that we as Christians use these specially set out days to remind ourselves what it is we believe and celebrate.

What exactly is Ascension Day then? Well, basically, it is the celebration of Jesus's exaltation - the day he left earth and returned to Heaven. Note, it is different from his resurrection as here he was exalted from death. There is then a period when he returns back to earth to reveal himself to the disciples. The ascension is after this when he then leaves earth to permanently remain in Heaven (or at least until the second coming).

I was having lunch today with two Christian friends, one of whom was a good friend and the other whom I had just met. I was impressed that the girl I had just met was aware it was Ascension Day, but was surprised that when we got on to discussing the matter further she didn't in fact know what actually happened on the first ascension day! I thought every Christian knew what Jesus's ascension is. But then I started thinking that actually, his ascension is quite often overlooked. Christians tend to stick to the big festivals - Christmas and Easter - Jesus's birth, death and resurrection. I suppose ultimately these are the key things needed for our salvation so the tendancy is to worship God for these things.

But I think this is quite a narrow and humanist way of looking at things. If we as Christians only celebrate those major events in Jesus's life that affect us, well this won't really do. For Jesus, his ascension back in to Heaven was probably the biggest deal out of everything. In coming to earth Jesus humbled himself to live in the painful, sin-infested world that we had created. He came from a perfect relationship with the Father in a perfect place where he was King and ruled with God...to here. Think about that for a second.

The ascension marks the day when Jesus finally went back to his Father - back to Heaven to rule in his rightful place at God's right hand. It marks the end of his mission on earth. The end of his humility and the start of his glorification. A pretty big deal don't you think?!

Another key aspect of Ascension Day we are told about is in Acts 2:33:

"Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear."

Only after Jesus's ascension do we have access to the Holy Spirit. The ascension marks the cross over between Jesus with us, and the Holy Spirit with us. It shows God's glorious faithfulness that despite the fact that the early church were losing their leader and therefore probably were feeling very worried and lost, God did not leave them on their own. He gave them the Counsellor whom Jesus had already promised (John 14:16) to help them and remain with them always. The Holy Spirit still works in us to this day and will do until Jesus comes again.

So as we can see Ascension Day is a huge deal. Perhaps it doesn't affect our salvation but it certainly affects our worship of God, and our day to day Christian lives. Our God whom we worship for humbling himself, was also glorious enough to return back to Heaven. Not only did he defeat death - he also ascended back to the place where he created the world and where he will judge all people. The ascension marks Jesus's long deserved glorification for all he did on earth. It marked the amazing reconciliation between Father and Son - that which separated them on earth and in death no longer has power over them - they can once again live in perfection and harmony in Heaven as was intended. And not only that - God once again shows his amazing generosity and faithfulness in helping his people. Even though the focus should have been entirely on Jesus on this day, God still turns back to us and blesses us again by giving us his Holy Spirit.

But this stuff should not just be celebrated on Ascension Day. Ascension day should be the catalyst for our worship - a reminder of these amazing truths. I think there are two dangers:

1. We can get so bogged down with tradition and celebrating 'set religious calendar days' that what is celebrated loses its meaning.

2. Or we can fail to recognise these days all together and forget to be reminded exactly what it is we should be worshipping God for.

So on this (now post!)-Ascension Day, why not spend a little bit of time really reminding yourself of God's glory and power, and thank him for his faithfulness even on a day when the focus should have been entirely on him.



"The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; And His sovereignty rules over all." Psalm 103:19