Introduction:

For me, the summer of 1984 was perfect. I was ten years old, growing up in central Michigan, and nothing could go wrong. Why - because twenty years ago, the Detroit Tigers were the best team in all of baseball. I can remember listening to Ernie Harwell on the radio, watching the Tigers on TV, and pretending to be them on the ball diamond. I can remember exactly where I was and how I felt when that team won the World Series and became champions. It was perfect.

Now to some of you, that event may not have been pasted into your mental scrapbook or have been highlighted in your memory. But for at least one ten-year-old boy, it was extremely important. In hindsight, I now realize that the '84 World Series was not the greatest event in history. I understand that many people could care less what happened that summer. There are many events in the world's history that we deem important. But many times, how important an event is depends on who you are and where you are.

With that in mind, let us ask the question today, "Is the Ascension really that important?" As we strive to find the answer to that question, we will look at the Ascension from three different perspectives - from Jesus' perspective, the disciples', and ours. God's Word will give us our answer.

1. It was to Jesus!

"Is the Ascension really that important?" We have to say, "It was to Jesus." It was important to Jesus for three reasons. First of all, Jesus had completed the mission for which he came to this earth. Listen again to verse 3, "After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God." Those words, "After his suffering," reveal to us that Jesus had finished the work the Father had sent him to do. He had to come to this earth because all mankind was lost in sin, eternally condemned to hell. Jesus came to live a perfect life, free from all sin, holy and blameless all his days. He did this because we, miserable sinners, could not. Jesus also suffered. He suffered terrible physical pain as he was beaten, whipped, and crucified. The Savior also suffered greater agony with the guilt of all mankind laid upon him at his death. But when he said, "It is finished!" from the cross, he defeated sin, death and the devil for us.

But the Son of God did not remain in the grave. His mission would not be complete until he rose from the dead on Easter Sunday and showed himself to be alive to his followers. If Jesus was still dead; the work would have been left unfinished. He rose and made it known that all who believe him are not doomed, but will live eternally in heaven. He got the job done.

The second reason the Ascension was important for Jesus was that he had done everything he would do to prepare his disciples for life after his departure. He proved to them that he was alive. He promised them he would send the Holy Spirit to enable them to carry out their mission to preach the Word. He also comforted them with the knowledge that he would come back to take them to heaven when their work was finished here on earth.

The third reason the Ascension was important to Jesus is because it was His appointed time to return to heaven. It was the Lord's time to again sit at the right of God and rule over the universe. Jesus, true God and true man, would return to where he was before, heaven, and he would resume the use of all his divine power. The Ascension really was important to Jesus because he had completed his mission, prepared his disciples, and it was his time to return to heaven to be glorified for all eternity.

2. It was to the disciples!

Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after Easter Sunday and 10 days before Pentecost. During those 40 days Jesus spent time with His disciples. Would the disciples have thought the Ascension of Jesus was any big deal? Once again we have to answer, "Yes, it was to the disciples."

First of all the disciples had received many convincing proofs that Jesus was alive. Doubting Thomas was able to touch the Lord's wounds from the crucifixion. The disciples ate food with Jesus. They heard Jesus speak to them about the kingdom of God. This was not something new. But in light of the resurrection, Jesus teaching took on a whole new meaning for them.

The ascension was also important to the disciples because Jesus had given them their orders to be witnesses of the resurrection to the world. No longer would they literally sit at the feet of the Savior. They would now be the teachers and the proclaimers of the Good News. They would be the echoes of the truth as they preached the resurrection. Jesus told them that they would spread the Gospel to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. They wrote the Gospels and the Epistles by which the Word of God would shine light into the darkest corners of the earth. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they will be Christ's witnesses to the end of time.

And finally the Ascension was important to the disciples because of the comfort they received from the angels on Ascension Day. Listen to the words of the 2 men dressed in white. "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." The disciples had been given a promise. This same Jesus, the resurrected Lord and Savior, would return to bring them their eternal home. Jesus may have left them visibly, but he would not abandon them. They also had the promise of Jesus recorded in Matthew's gospel, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." And Jesus also promised to send the Holy Spirit on the disciples at Pentecost to enable them to carry out their mission.

The Ascension was important to the disciples. They had received proof that Jesus was the risen Lord and Savior. They had their orders to be witnesses of the resurrection to the ends of the earth. And they were comforted by the words of Jesus and the angels.

3. It is to us!

We have looked at the Ascension from the perspective of Jesus and his disciples and have seen that it was really important to them. But what about us? How important is the Ascension to us as 21st Century Christians? Once again we must answer the question with, "It is important to us!"

Because Jesus ascended into heaven, He is there as our go-between with the Father. Romans 8:34 tells us, "Christ Jesus, who died-- more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." The risen and ascended Son of God intercedes on our behalf and saves us. Listen to Hebrews 7:25. "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

We also share the promise that the angels gave the disciples on Ascension that just as they saw him go into heaven, we will see him return. This is very important because when the Lord returns on Judgment Day He will say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

There in the kingdom of heaven we will have eternal glory won for us by our Savior's perfect life, death and resurrection. Romans 8:17 tells us, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." As God's children we will live in perfect glory for all eternity.

The Ascension is important to us, each of us, personally. Because we know that the risen Christ sits at the right hand of God, ruling the universe. He is in control of our lives. He is guarding and protecting us and wants to bring each of us home to be with him in heaven. Hear the promise of Jesus that is for you. "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2-3) Jesus will come take all believers to be with him in heaven.

Conclusion:

What a glorious comfort Jesus' Ascension is for us! I pray that you consider this event in history very important in your lives. May you be filled with the Holy Spirit just as the disciples were as they spread the message of the risen and ascended Lord. They started in Jerusalem, reached out to the surrounding areas, and the gospel spread to the ends of the earth. It has been described like throwing a stone into a pool. When you throw a stone into pool, you set up ripples that spread out quietly but surely to the edges of the pool. Let each of us ask ourselves, "Have I been throwing stones into the pool regularly to set gospel waves rippling into sad, dark hearts? If not, why not?" (Werner Franzmann, Bible History Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1079)

The Ascension was really important to Jesus and His disciples. It is to us also. As Jesus reigns in heaven and in our hearts, let us boldly proclaim his name to the ends of the earth. Amen.