Ascension Day is recognised in some Christian countries, but only observed as a holiday in a few countries. Botswana is blessed to be one such country. In any given year, it occurs on the fortieth day after Resurrection (Easter) Sunday. It commemorates the days after Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to all during the 40 days, until the culmination in which He ascended into Heaven. In some ways, it beckons to His triumphant return on His Second Coming.
Acts 1:1-3 provides the account “…of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
With that in mind, here are a few more Bible verses to consider while meditating on the significance of this day:
So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Mark 16.19
Jesus is sitting at the right hand of Father God, interceding for us even now, and we are seated with Him in heavenly places.
Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him... with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Luke 24.51-53
As a result of His ascension, and by the empowerment of Holy Spirit, we may continually live in joy, and in worship and praise of God, blessing His Name and His deeds always.
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” John 20.17-18
Having redeemed us by His Blood, Jesus reminds the disciples that God is our (loving) Father. His death and resurrection empower us to boldly come to the throne of God.
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “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.” Acts 1:9-11
May you be blessed by the significance of Ascension Day as you enjoy the day.