Luke 24:50-53 - Christ's Ascension

Luke fittingly concluded his Gospel account with joy and worship, for that is the appropriate response to the work God had done through Christ. Instead of fear, confusion, sorrow and disillusionment, the mood was replaced by love, joy, peace and understanding. What Luke briefly describes about Christ's Ascension to heaven here in verses 50-53, he provides a little more detail in Acts 1:9-12. We see here the Lord leading the early disciples to Bethany, to the slope of the Mount of Olives, there He lifted up His hands and blessed them as He ascended to heaven. What an awesome sight!

While the Lord was slowly rising toward heaven, He was pouring out His blessings down on earth.  The word "heaven" is not about space. It's about a realm. Wherever this awesome place is, we know that He is now seated at the right hand of the Father. It's an indication that He has ascended to a place of ultimate power. Hence the Apostle Paul rightly said, "God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11).

Luke tells us in verses 52 and 53, that the disciples returned to Jerusalem with jubilation and they continued to praise God in the temple. They now had the promise of the Holy Spirit. They also had the promise of His return. Hence their jubilation was understandable. Who won't be jubilant?

Here are the words of a chorus we should joyfully sing:
He is exalted,
He is exalted,
He is exalted on high.
Creation shall praise Him,
His saints shall adore Him,
For He is exalted on high.

We read that they praised the Lord continually. This is where what Christ had done should leave us - worshipping the Lord! So let's never stop praising and worshipping Him. Then they went out to witness and proclaim the wonders of this glorious Lord. This is what knowing Christ should lead us to - proclaiming His Gospel. So let's never stop proclaiming Him. What should be our proclamation? Here’s what the Apostle Creed says:

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried:
He descended into hell:
The third day He rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
I believe in the Holy Spirit:
I believe in the holy catholic (universal) church:
The communion of saints:
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body:
And the life everlasting.
Amen.