Jesus’ ascension to heaven is recorded in three of the first five books of the New Testament. Mark simply records the fact of it, stating, "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them [‘the eleven,’ verse 14, rdc], he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19). Luke 24:50-52 records, "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."

In Acts 1:9-11 we further read, "And when he had spoken these things, while they [‘the apostles,’ verse 2, rdc] beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:9-11). Just as Jesus had instructed the apostles, following His ascension they returned unto Jerusalem, where they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5,12).

We recognize and often speak about the importance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, but what about His ascension? What significance does it have in God’s plan to save man from sin? Let’s briefly consider some of the things that the ascension of Jesus accomplished or made possible.

First, Jesus’ ascension was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The Psalmist wrote, "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men . . ." (Psalm 68:18). There is no doubt that this was a prediction of Jesus’ ascension for Paul by the Spirit quoted this statement and applied it to the Christ and His ascension (Ephesians 4:7-10).

Second, Jesus’ ascension fulfilled His own prediction or promise to return to His Father in heaven. Jesus told the officers whom the Pharisees and chief priests sent to Him, "Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me" (John 7:33). The Christ later told His apostles, ". . . and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). If Jesus had not returned to the Father, then His words would have gone unfulfilled.

Third, Jesus’ ascension allowed Him to appear before the Father on behalf of lost humanity. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24). Jesus, "after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12). "Now as the high priest appeared before God in the Jewish Temple and offered the blood of beasts for expiation on the Day of Atonement in behalf of the Jewish nation, so Christ in the heavenly Temple enters the most Holy Place with his own blood to procure pardon for us" [Robert Milligan, Gospel Advocate commentary on Hebrews, p. 264].

Fourth, the ascension of our Lord was necessary for the establishment of His kingdom or church. "I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13,14).

Fifth, because it was God’s plan for the Holy Spirit to come to the apostles only after Jesus returned to the Father, His ascension was a necessity. On the night that Judas betrayed Him, Jesus tried to comfort the apostles with these words: "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7). Jesus promised the apostles that the Spirit would come to them and teach them all things, guiding them into all truth (John 14:26; 16:13). But that could take place only after Jesus returned to the Father Who sent Him.

Sixth, Jesus’ ascension made it possible for Him to be our high priest. "For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest" (Hebrews 8:4). If He could not be priest on earth, then He must be somewhere else when He serves as our high priest. Where is that? "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (Hebrews 8:1). But such could not take place unless He first ascended.

Finally, the ascension of the Christ makes His second coming possible. In order to be resurrected as He had predicted, Jesus first had to die. In the same way, in order to come again as He had promised, Jesus had to first go away. Jesus promised His chosen apostles, "I will come again, and receive you unto myself" (John 14:3). That will happen one day in the future, but it can happen only because He left the earth to go to heaven.

Our King is alive! He died, but arose victorious over death, never to die again. Let us thank God that He ascended to heaven and "is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

-- Roger D. Campbell