The Ascension: Why Jesus’ Return to Heaven Matters for Your Life Today

The Ascension of Jesus is one of the most overlooked yet significant events in Christian history. While we celebrate Christmas, Easter, and even Pentecost with enthusiasm, Ascension Day often passes by unnoticed. Yet this event—when Jesus physically returned to heaven—carries profound implications for our world, the church, and our personal lives.

What is the Ascension and Why Does It Matter?

In Acts 1, we find the disciples gazing into the sky as Jesus ascends to heaven. After appearing to them for 40 days following His resurrection, Jesus was “taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (Acts 1:9).

This wasn’t just a dramatic exit—it was a declaration that the world is under new management. Jesus’ ascension marked His enthronement as King of kings and Lord of lords. It wasn’t merely a spiritual ascension but the first time in history that a human body entered heaven’s dimension. Jesus, with His nail-scarred hands, brought our humanity into God’s presence.

What Does Jesus’ Ascension Mean for the World?

The disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). They were living under oppression with a tanked economy, corrupt leadership, and a broken legal system. They wanted Jesus to fix everything immediately.

Sound familiar? We often ask the same question: “Lord, if You’re on the throne and all things are under Your feet, why don’t You fix the violence, abuse, poverty, and illness in our world?”

The ascension reminds us that:

Jesus is actively ruling, not passively sitting on a throne
He is working through His church to “fix things”
He will return again, as the angels promised: “This same Jesus…will come back in the same way you have seen him go”

How Does the Ascension Impact the Church?

Far from being an “antique shop fussed over by people of tradition,” the church is Christ’s chosen instrument for changing the world. The ascension transformed those sky-gazing disciples into world-changers who would “be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The ascension reminds the church that:

We have been made “a kingdom and priests to serve our God” (Revelation 5:10)
We represent God’s interests in the here and now
We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue Christ’s work

What Does Jesus’ Ascension Mean for Me Personally?

The ascension carries three powerful implications for our personal lives:

1. A Promise: Jesus is Our Advocate

“We have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God… Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Jesus is our representative before the Father. His nail-scarred hands remind God of His sacrifice for us. This means we can pray bold, audacious prayers because we have an advocate in heaven.

2. Power: We Are United with Christ

“God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

Notice the verb tense—not “will raise” but “has raised.” In Christ, we already have one foot in heaven while still living on earth. This gives us access to “incomparably great power” (Ephesians 1:19) even when we feel overwhelmed.

As Paul reminds us: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

3. Purpose: We Are Called to Represent Christ

The ascension gives us a clear purpose: “Seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).

Our purpose isn’t just to make a living or find comfort, but to represent Christ through:

Worship: Bending our knee to acknowledge Jesus as Lord
Service: Using our spiritual gifts to build up the church
Witness: Testifying to what God has done in our lives

Life Application

The ascension reminds us that “the King is on the throne, and the King is coming.” Like Abraham Davenport, who during an unexpected darkness in 1790 said, “If the Lord is coming, I choose to be found working,” we too should be actively engaged in Christ’s mission.

This week, consider these questions:

How does knowing Jesus is advocating for you right now change how you pray? Begin praying more boldly, with confidence that you have an advocate before the Father.
In what areas of your life do you need to remember that Christ’s power is available to you? Identify one challenge where you need to rely on His strength rather than your own.
What is your role in Christ’s mission? Consider your spiritual gifts (your S.H.A.P.E.—Spiritual gifts, Heart/passion, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences) and how you can use them to serve others this week.
How can you radiate the joy of knowing “God’s got this”? Look for one opportunity to share the hope you have because Jesus reigns.

Remember, we don’t just celebrate that Jesus left earth—we celebrate that He rules heaven and earth, empowers His church, and will return again. Until then, we have work to do, preparing the world for the King who is coming.