Good morning, and a blessed Thursday morning to you.

Would you open up your Bibles with me for our time in God’s Word to Acts, the first chapter—the Book of Acts, chapter 1.

Today is a wonderful day in the life of the Church. It is Ascension Day, and we remember when Jesus ascended into heaven. Scripture tells us that He appeared for forty days after His resurrection, and then He ascended into heaven.

You’ll recall that this is why we have the large Christ candle lit beginning on Easter Day and continuing until Ascension Day, reminding us of those forty days after the resurrection of Christ when He made His appearances.

Let’s read about His ascension in the first chapter of the Book of Acts. We begin in verse 6:

“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

“When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’”

Or, in Luke chapter 24, verse 50:

“And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.”

The ascension of our Lord—what we particularly celebrate today.

But what does the ascension of our Lord mean?

First, it means: mission accomplished.

What was the mission of Christ?

Luke chapter 19 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

The first thing the ascension means is: mission accomplished.

The second thing it means is that Jesus reigns.

In Ephesians chapter 1, the apostle Paul writes:

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

“God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.”

What does the Ascension mean?

The Ascension means:

• Mission accomplished.
• Jesus reigns.
• Jesus is with us.

Matthew chapter 28 says, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

And as that portion in Acts reminds us, Jesus will come again.

Mission accomplished.
He reigns.
He is with us.
And He will come again.

Ascension Day is a great day in the life of the Church. It is a wonderful comfort—the ascension of our Lord.

Let us pray.

Gracious heavenly Father, we thank You for this time in Your Word. Your Word is truth.

We give You thanks, O Lord, for Your great victory. We give You thanks that You took all of our sin upon Yourself on the cross and paid the debt we could never pay. We thank You that we are forgiven through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, that His sacrifice has been accepted, and that the tomb is empty.

And today, O Lord, we also give You thanks for Your ascension and for what it means for us—that word of great comfort.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God bless you today. Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel