“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” – Acts 1:9

The Apostles’ Creed is one of the oldest and most widely used statements of faith in the church. Part of its statement about Jesus Christ says:

“He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.”

This bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, marking the definitive end of his earthly ministry, is commemorated on Ascension Day.

The ascension is not a minor detail of the gospel story; it is central to Christ’s present ministry and the believer’s hope

Why does Christ’s ascension matter so much that Scripture records it and the church still commemorates it? Is it just an orderly reportage of events surrounding the Christ or are there any benefits for believers in Christ’s ascension? The ascension is not a minor detail of the gospel story; it is central to Christ’s present ministry and the believer’s hope.

The Completion of His Work

The ascension of Christ is evidence that the work he came to do on earth is complete; he does not need to repeat it. In the past, a priest never sat down while serving in the temple because their work of offering sacrifices for sin was never done. By contrast, Jesus is described as ascended and sitting. The book of Hebrews 10:11-12 explains: “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties… But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”

The one who ascended now reigns over all things

On the cross Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Before his work was done, no one could kill him. But when the time came, he offered no resistance and was crucified. His ascension, therefore, was not merely a departure but a declaration. The ascension is like the passing-out parade of a victorious military officer whose assignment has been honourably completed. He, likewise, gathered the disciples and departed before their very eyes, marking the definitive completion of his earthly ministry. You can rest assured that all that Christ came to earth to do for you, he has done successfully.

Though his earthly work was completed, Christ did not ascend into inactivity. The ascension means Christ is not absent — he is active.

The Evidence of His Ascension

The ascension was not Christ’s withdrawal from his people, but the beginning of his heavenly ministry through the Spirit. Jesus had told the disciples, “Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 was both a fulfilment of promise as well as evidence that Jesus returned to the Father. As he said, if he didn’t go, the Holy Spirit would not come; he would only come when Christ arrived and sent him to the church. It is like telling someone: “I have a package in an envelope for you, but I left it at home. When I get back home, I will send the envelope to you.” When the receiver gets the envelope, it is confirmation to them that you indeed arrived home. Just as the envelope confirms the sender arrived home, the Holy Spirit confirms that Christ ascended to the Father.

Scripture also says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men” (Ephesians 4:8). Every spiritual gift that you have is also evidence that he ascended on high. Peter told the onlooking crowd on Pentecost that, “Exalted to the right hand of God, he [Christ] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you see and hear” (Acts 2:33). Every true manifestation of the Holy Spirit bears witness to the ascension of Christ.

All Power and Authority Subject to Him

The creed says Christ is “sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.” Mark’s gospel says “he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). Stephen’s declaration that he saw Christ at the right hand of God provoked his execution (Acts 7:58). This was also a fulfilment of prophecy. The patriarch David said in Psalm 110:1:

“The Lord says to my Lord:

‘Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet.’”

During his trial, the Lord quoted this psalm, saying: “You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62).

These passages are not merely describing location but enthronement. The right hand of God is a powerful metaphor representing the highest position of honour, authority, power, and favour. Paul says God “raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:20-21). That Christ ascended and is seated at the right hand of God is therefore the ultimate statement of his victory, present identity and current cosmic role. It tells us that Jesus’ work did not end with his resurrection, nor did he simply disappear into the clouds at his ascension. Instead, he took his place as the ruler of the universe. Paul said “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).

You don’t just have friends in high places; you have a friend in the highest place

Christ’s ascension was not merely a change of location, but a coronation. The one who ascended now reigns over all things.

Dear believer, your Saviour and Lover is at the highest place. You don’t just have friends in high places; you have a friend in the highest place. Rejoice!

Head Over Everything for The Church

We often see people rise to positions of power only to use them for themselves. Not so with Christ. Paul said “God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body” (Ephesians 1:22-23). The reason he ascended and took up the place of highest authority is not for himself but for his body – the Church. All that he is, all that he presides over, is for our corporate benefit. That is why he will build his church and the gates of hell will never prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).

We are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. While we suffer with him now, we will also share in his glory (Romans 8:17). Jesus promises this: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I have overcome and sat with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21). He is not a lesser ruler beneath the Father, but reigns with divine authority. That he is presently seated on the throne is evidence that we will also be glorified with him someday.

That is not only a hope to be consummated in the future, it is a present reality for all believers. Paul writes that “He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!” (Ephesians 2:6, TPT). Colossians 3:2 concurs: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Dwell on that truth and let it move you.

He Makes Intercession for Us

The ascended Christ is not passive in heaven; he continues to minister on behalf of his people. While “seated” implies that Christ’s saving work is done, it does not mean his ministry has ceased. Jesus uses his position of authority to intercede for – or speak on behalf of – us. Because he wore our flesh and bore our pain, he is able to act as a compassionate mediator between God and man. When believers fall short, Christ is at the right hand of the Father, not to condemn, but to advocate for them (1 John 2:1). Hebrews 9:24 says “He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.” As our High Priest, when he appears before God in heaven, he does so for us.

When believers fall short, Christ is at the right hand of the Father, not to condemn, but to advocate for them

The ministry of intercession surrounds the believer both in heaven and on earth. While on earth, we do not know how to pray but the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, making intercession for us with wordless groans (Romans 8:26). In heaven, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ the righteous.

He Is Preparing a Place for Us

When comforting his disciples about his imminent departure, Jesus told them:

“I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).

Even now, the ascended Lord is actively preparing the eternal home for us, his redeemed people

The joyful hope of every groom is to take his bride home. In Christ’s current ministry, he is preparing a place for us (the church), his bride. There, “he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). In that city, there will be no need for the sun or the moon because the glory of God and the Lamb will be the light and lamp (Revelation 21:23). Even now, the ascended Lord is actively preparing the eternal home for us, his redeemed people. The ascended Christ will keep us until we get into that inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade (1 Peter 1:4).

Until His Enemies Be Made a Footstool for His Feet

Psalm 110:1 says, “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ All who reject the kingship of the risen and ascended Christ, who say, “We will not have this man to reign over us”, have but one destiny – to be a footstool for his feet. From his exalted place, he shall come to judge the living and the dead – no one exempt. Even for those who have died, there will be no status of limitation; everyone will be accountable. He will not come again as a vulnerable child in a manger in Bethlehem but with pomp and majesty and undeniable power and glory. He will come in holy judgment against all rebellion.

For those who believe in him, this judgment is not a fearful prospect. The judge of the earth is also our Saviour. The one who will sit on the throne of judgement is the very same one who died on the cross to pay for our sins. Therefore, while others face the judgement with terror, we will face it confident in his mercy.

The risen Lord now reigns at the Father’s right hand, intercedes for his people, pours out his Spirit, governs his church, and prepares an eternal home for the redeemed

Jesus declared: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

The ascension of Christ is not the story of his absence, but of his exaltation. The risen Lord now reigns at the Father’s right hand, intercedes for his people, pours out his Spirit, governs his church, and prepares an eternal home for the redeemed. Therefore, dear believer, do not live in fear or uncertainty, but in hope, knowing that the ascended Christ who went into heaven will one day return in glory for his people, and that includes you.