The Scripture readings for this Sunday are Psalm 47 and Acts 1:1-11.
Yesterday (Thursday, May 9) was Ascension Day – a day that went by without much Hallmark fanfare. We can’t buy Ascension Day cards or Ascension Day themed bouquets. It’s not like Christmas or Easter in that regard. In fact, it’s a day that the Christian church often doesn’t even do much with. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, at Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead – He is present – but on Ascension Day we remember that he left … How do we celebrate that? What does it mean?
Jesus returned to the Father, is now seated at the right hand of God, and He now reigns over all creation. His return to the Father completed the process of humiliation and exaltation that Jesus subjected himself to for us. He was born for us. He died for us. He returned to the Father … for us. Jesus’ ascension means that He is Lord – today – over all things.
Ascension Day reminds us that Jesus reigns already and will continue to reign over all creation until he returns again (just as He left). Ascension Day instructs us that Jesus is the President of presidents, the Prime Minister of prime ministers, the King of kings. Jesus is in charge whether we acknowledge that or not.
Those are the bold claims that we make on Ascension Day. In Psalm 47, the Psalmist proclaims that the Lord has ascended amid shouts of triumph. “Sing praises,” he instructs, “sing praises!” That is the opportunity we have on Ascension Day. We can boldly profess our faith and to sing the praises of our God who descended to us to save us and ascended into heaven to take his seat as King of all creation.
But we mustn’t be caught looking up staring into heaven all the time, waiting and watching for Jesus’ return in such a way that we disregard the world around us. “You are my witnesses,” Jesus instructs. We are witnesses, called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ; witnesses called to live lives that point to Jesus’ reign over all creation (and our lives).
It’s no wonder that Hallmark has stayed away from Ascension Day. It’s the day where we, as the church, get to proclaim the radically counter-cultural message that Jesus is in charge of everything (the world, countries, governments, cultures, people, individuals, our finances, our relationships, our families, and our hearts).
Ascension Day is not a day for modest claims. It’s the day we boldly proclaim: “Jesus is Lord!”