The Ascension is one of the most important events in the life of Christ, but also one of the most neglected in modern evangelical teaching. Forty days after His resurrection, after repeatedly appearing to His disciples and teaching them "things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3), Jesus led them out to the Mount of Olives. He gave them final instructions — to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit — and then "He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). Two angels appeared and promised: "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). The Ascension matters for several reasons. First, it is Christ's enthronement: He did not just disappear; He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now reigns as King of kings (Ephesians 1:20-22, Philippians 2:9-11). Second, it is the condition for the sending of the Holy Spirit: "If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you" (John 16:7). Pentecost could not happen until the Ascension had happened. Third, it grounds Christ's present high-priestly ministry: He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Fourth, it provides the pattern for our own resurrection: as He went, so we shall be taken up (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Fifth, it gives us a homeland: "Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). The Christian worships a King who is not absent but enthroned — ruling from heaven until He returns.
Acts 1:9-11 — "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight... "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.""
Luke 24:50-51 — "And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven."
Ephesians 1:20-22 — "Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named... And He put all things under His feet."
Hebrews 4:14 — "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."