The story of the Ascension comes in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. It appears to follow, almost immediately, the story of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). For me, these two extraordinary events are inextricably linked.
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Horsham: 1st July 2026
Matthew 28:20 tell us that Jesus had called the Apostles to meet him on the mountainside. When they were all together, Jesus gave them the direction to go into the world, make disciples and establish his Church.
It is almost certain that it was following this conversation that the events of Acts 1 take place. In the Greek, Acts 1:4 described the Apostles ‘gathered together’ with Jesus (συναλιζόμενος). The word used here may imply that they were sharing a meal.
In giving the Great Commission, Jesus told the Apostles that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). In the ascension, that power and authority is demonstrated and affirmed, as the Apostles witness resurrected Jesus is physically lifted and taken up into heaven. The resurrection demonstrates the power of God and the uniqueness of Christ. For every follower of Jesus the Ascension demonstrates the power and authority of the risen Jesus, and changes our relationship with him.
Stay in Jerusalem
The Disciples are directed to remain in Jerusalem. This is a command from Jesus, the one who has supreme authority. Even after his ascension, Jesus has a plan for his followers. He announces and directs his plan, and this plan has a purpose.
You will receive power
The first stage of the plan is that the Disciples are to remain in Jerusalem. The second is that they will receive power. They have a divine appointment with the Holy Spirit which will empower, embolden and encourage them. It is through the giving of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus at Pentecost that the Church is established.
You will be my witnesses
So they are to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Having received the Spirit, they have work to do. They are to be his witnesses in Jerusalem. But they are also to be his witnesses in Judea, the Jewish homelands which surround Jerusalem. They are also to travel beyond Israel, into Samaria. Samaria, a country which is deeply problematic for devout Jews. Yet the dominion of the One who has all power and authority extends beyond the Jewish nation, even beyond Samaria, into the whole world.
This is not the end..
We can understand why the eleven Apostles are staring intently into the sky long after Jesus had disappeared from their sight. It is a moment of profound finality. Jesus, Immanuel, is taken back into heaven. Yet this end is only the conclusion of a chapter, it is not the end of the book. In case they had not already got the point, their reverie is broken by two angels who tell them that Christ will return. It is not for them, or for you, to know when. But there is more to come. Christ has ascended into heaven, but this is not the end.
Once more the Disciples have witnessed the extraordinary power of Jesus. Once more their minds are blown.
End Piece
The Ascension is a profound and extraordinary moment, a visible demonstration of the power of God. But it is absolutely not the end of the story. Christ will come again, but as he told them just before he ascended, in the meantime there is work to be done.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The work continues. Even today there is work to be done.
- in the area where you and I live and work – our Jerusalem.
- in our area, region and nation – our Judea
- in areas of the world which we would rather not visit – our Samaria.
- Even to the ends of the earth.
Be in no doubt:
Christ has died
Christ has risen
Christ will come again.
I recently spent some time with the leaders of a local Church. They sense that they have become rather out of touch with their local community, but have little appetite for change. It made me reflect on the fact that some of our our Churches use practices, hymns and worship styles which would have been familiar to our Victorian forebears. Not so surprising that they are inaccessible to people around us.