The Ascension

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days, "speaking about the kingdom of God" and giving them many convincing proofs that he was alive (Acts 1:3). On the fortieth day he led them out as far as Bethany on the Mount of Olives, lifted up his hands and blessed them, and as he was blessing them "he parted from them and was carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:51). Acts 1:9 adds: "and a cloud took him out of their sight." Two men in white robes — angelic messengers — then stood beside the disciples and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). The Ascension is the bodily, visible transition of the risen Christ from earth to the right hand of the Father, where he reigns and intercedes for his people (Heb 1:3; Rom 8:34). It marks the close of his earthly ministry and inaugurates his heavenly priesthood; it is also the necessary prelude to Pentecost, since the exalted Christ would shortly pour out the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). The promise of his return — the second coming — is rooted in the visible manner of his departure. The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy, gathered in the upper room with the women and Jesus' brothers, and devoted themselves to prayer as they waited for the promise of the Father.