Why the Ascension Changes Everything

"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." — Matthew 28:20

Ascension Day—observed 40 days after Easter—is a day of profound joy and triumph. It marks the moment when the resurrected Jesus ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.

But this isn't a story about Jesus leaving us behind; it’s a story about Jesus taking charge.

Why the Ascension Matters

In the Lutheran tradition, we emphasize that Christ’s ascension isn't a "retirement." Instead, it is His coronation.

• He Fills All Things: As we confess in the Creed, Jesus is now at the "right hand of God." This isn't a physical GPS coordinate in the clouds; it’s a position of ultimate power. Because He is no longer limited by time and space, He can be truly present with all of us, everywhere, through His Word and Sacraments.

• Our Advocate: We have a human brother in the throne room of the universe. Jesus carries our humanity into the presence of God, interceding for us with wounds that prove His love.

• The Promise of Return: Just as the disciples watched Him go, we live in the "blessed hope" that He will return to restore all things.

Living the Ascension Today

Because Christ is King, we don't have to live in fear. We are sent out into our neighborhood—just as the disciples were sent to Jerusalem, Judea, and the ends of the earth—to share the good news of a King whose kingdom is built on mercy, grace, and sacrificial love.