It’s a shame few churches observe Ascension day even without Covid-19. I grew up going to Ascension services. Of course, the name of my church was Ascension Lutheran Church.

But what does the Ascension of Jesus mean? It is in part the glorification of Jesus. The disciples hadn’t seen the resurrection of Jesus, but they did see the return of the Son to the Father, at least as far as human beings can see such a thing. It’s one of those “wow” experiences.

O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
All praise to you let earth accord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But there is also a sense in which the Ascension of Jesus is the final part of the Resurrection transformation of Jesus. For forty days the followers of Jesus have encountered him in various places–at the tomb, in a house where they were gathered, on the road to Emmaus, by the Sea of Galilee. The appearances are localized to a specific place. When Christ ascends to heaven, he becomes present any place and every place.

This ubiquity (presence everywhere) of Christ is essential to the Lutheran understanding of the real presence of Christ in communion. Because the ascended Christ can be everywhere, he can be in, with, and under the elements of communion. We receive the true body and blood of the ascended Jesus Christ every time we commune.

It is this presence everywhere that allows us to pray as in the old Sunday School song:

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay;
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Read Acts 1:6-12 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne