May 29, 2025

Today is Ascension Day, a religious feast which falls forty days after Easter. Ascension Day marks the moment when Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection, as recorded in Acts 1:6-11.

While to many it is an ordinary Thursday, to us it is an important day in our calendar. The Ascension shows that while Jesus’ time on earth ended, his work continues. For instance,  United Methodists believe that Jesus now sits with the Father above and prays for us, and that he sends the Holy Spirit to help sinners (i.e. us) and guide the Church.

Throughout history, the feast of Ascension, and sermons and hymns about it, have shaped how the faithful see God’s plan for His people. It’s in our creeds, “He ascended into Heaven,” and this day reminds Christians that history is moving toward a goal—Jesus’ return. The Ascension has inspired art and song, worship, and ideas about mission work and making the world better.

For individual Christians, the taking up of Christ into heaven means that Jesus is still with us, but in a different way. He is not physically on earth, but he is present every hour through the Holy Spirit. His going to heaven was not a goodbye—it was a way to stay closer to everyone, everywhere. His Ascension gives us hope that we, too, will one day be with God.

On this day, why not take some time to pray:

• that you might understand the Ascension better
• that the Spirit may elevate your level of faith, compassion, and courage…sky high
• that the will of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—be done on earth as it is in heaven

As he ascended into heaven, Jesus told his followers, “You will be my witnesses.” This means all Christians have a job to do: to share the truth with love and kindness. Ascension Day is not about Jesus leaving. It’s about his sending us out to live with purpose, to let others know that Christ remains with us.