The ascension of Jesus: Lifted up, seated, and still near

The Ascension is not Jesus’ goodbye—it’s His enthronement. On a hillside outside Jerusalem, with hands lifted in blessing, He was “carried up into heaven,” and His friends returned to the city “with great joy” (Luke 24:50–53, KJV). Joy at a departure seems strange—unless the One who leaves is actually drawing closer in power, presence, and promise.

The story on the hill

Luke tells us Jesus led His disciples “as far as to Bethany,” blessed them, and “was parted from them, and carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:50–51, KJV). Acts adds the detail of a cloud receiving Him from their sight as two messengers promised, “this same Jesus…shall so come in like manner” (Acts 1:9–11, KJV). Mark says it simply: “he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19, KJV).

What the Ascension means

• Enthronement, not absence
  • The risen Son takes His seat at the Father’s right hand—the long-awaited fulfillment of “Sit thou at my right hand” (Psalm 110:1, KJV). Daniel foresaw the Son of Man given “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom” (Daniel 7:13–14, KJV). Now, “all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth,” Jesus declares (Matthew 28:18, KJV), and God has “put all things under his feet” for the sake of His church (Ephesians 1:20–23, KJV).
• A throne of grace for wounded people
  • Because our “great high priest…is passed into the heavens,” we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:14–16, KJV). He “ever liveth to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25, KJV); He is “at the right hand of God…making intercession for us” (Romans 8:34, KJV). When shame whispers and fear grips, remember: “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1, KJV).
• The Spirit poured out for a scattered world
  • Jesus said His going was “expedient” so the Comforter would come (John 16:7, KJV). Exalted “by the right hand of God,” He “hath shed forth this” Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:33, KJV). Ascension is the hinge between resurrection life and Spirit-empowered mission.
• Mission now, hope forever
  • The risen King sends us: “ye shall receive power…ye shall be witnesses” (Acts 1:8, KJV). He promises presence in the going: “lo, I am with you alway” (Matthew 28:20, KJV). And He will return: “this same Jesus…shall so come” (Acts 1:11, KJV); “every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7, KJV). Our hope is an “anchor of the soul…within the veil,” where our Forerunner has gone (Hebrews 6:19–20, KJV).

How the Ascension meets us where we live

• When God feels distant
  • The right hand of God is not far away; it is authority over every place you’ll step today. “Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth” (Colossians 3:1, KJV). Lift your eyes—not to escape the world, but to receive strength for it.
• When prayer feels pointless
  • You are not shouting into the void. You are welcomed to a throne, where your Brother and Priest speaks your name (Hebrews 4:14–16; 7:25, KJV). Pray as if the King is listening—because He is.
• When courage runs thin
  • The Ascended One has “angels and authorities and powers” subject to Him (1 Peter 3:22, KJV). Your courage doesn’t come from being fearless; it comes from being accompanied.
• When your body aches
  • The One who ascended bears a human body—glorified, but scarred. He promises to “change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20–21, KJV). Your future is embodied, healed, and face-to-face.

Five ways to live an ascension-shaped life

1. Practice bold nearness: Each morning, name three needs and “come boldly” to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16, KJV).
2. Witness with Presence: As you go—work, errands, conversations—remember “I am with you alway” and risk a gentle word of hope (Matthew 28:20, KJV).
3. Sing enthronement: Pray Psalm 110 out loud. Let worship realign your fears with His seat.
4. Ask for the Spirit: Jesus ascended to give gifts (Psalm 68:18; Ephesians 4:8, KJV). Ask for what you lack: love, wisdom, courage, gentleness.
5. Hold the horizon: When anxiety spikes, whisper Acts 1:11 and Revelation 1:7. He is coming. Let that promise loosen hurry and tighten hope.

The Ascension in a single thread

He blesses, He rises, He reigns; He intercedes, He sends, He will return. The cloud that once hid Him will one day unveil Him. Until then, our “conversation is in heaven,” and from there we live, love, and look for Him (Philippians 3:20, KJV).

A short prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, ascended and near, lift my eyes and steady my heart. Seat me today under Your blessing and send me in Your power. Make Your intercession my courage and Your promise my peace—until the day every eye sees You. Amen.