The Ascension of Jesus: Why It Matters
13 September 2025 · 2 min read · Understanding the Bible
Between the resurrection and Pentecost lies an event that often gets overlooked: the ascension, when Jesus was taken up into heaven as his disciples watched. It's easy to skip past, but the ascension is far more important than we realise. Here's what happened and why it matters.
What happened
For forty days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his followers, teaching them and proving he was truly alive. Then, on a hillside near Jerusalem, as he blessed them, he was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Angels appeared, promising that this same Jesus would one day return in the same way. The risen Lord returned to the Father.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Jesus reigns
The ascension means Jesus is now enthroned at the right hand of God, reigning as King over all. He didn't just come back to life and carry on as before; he was exalted to the highest place. Whatever happens in the world, the ascended Christ is on the throne, ruling and working out his purposes. That's a steadying truth in uncertain times.
He intercedes for us
The Bible says the ascended Jesus 'ever liveth to make intercession' for his people — he prays for us before the Father. Our great High Priest is in heaven itself, representing us, pleading our cause. When you pray, you're not shouting into the void; you have an advocate at God's right hand who knows your struggles and speaks for you.
He sent the Spirit
Jesus told his disciples it was actually to their advantage that he go away, so that the Holy Spirit could come. The ascension made way for Pentecost, when God's Spirit was poured out to live within believers. Jesus is no longer limited to one place; through his Spirit, he is present with all his people everywhere, at once.
He is preparing a place
Finally, Jesus went ahead of us. 'I go to prepare a place for you,' he promised. The ascension is a preview of where his people are headed — with him, in the Father's house. And the angels' promise stands: the Jesus who ascended will return. His going up guarantees our going home.
The ascension of Jesus matters more than we often realise: it means Christ reigns as King, intercedes for us in heaven, sent his Spirit to be with us always, and has gone ahead to prepare a place for us. Far from an afterthought, it's the crowning of his work and the ground of our hope. The Jesus who was taken up into heaven is reigning now, praying for you now, and coming again.
