Hi ~

“Ascension Day,” in some branches of Christianity, is celebrated 40 days after Resurrection Sunday. That 40th day is coming up this Thursday, May 29th.

Why do they celebrate it? Wasn’t Jesus just going on back home? What’s there to celebrate? Can’t we just wave good-bye?

That’s the way I was raised, as an independent Baptist. It seemed weird to celebrate Ascension Day. 

But the more I studied the Bible, the more I understood how very important this day is. Maybe almost as important as the Resurrection itself. 

I always thought of it as Jesus going back where He came from and settling in back home after a long time away.

But it was so much more than that!

If I remember correctly, one of the first places I actually began to see it was in Ephesians 4, when I studied that part about “taking captivity captive.” 

I found out that Paul was alluding to the triumphal parade the Roman generals would hold after conquering a people group. Part of the glorious parade would be showing the captive enemy leaders in chains, for onlookers to scorn.

So what was it that Jesus took captive? It was CAPTIVITY. This was mind blowing to me when I actually understood it.

And when did that parade take place for Jesus?

It was when He ascended.

But wait, there’s more!

When Jesus ascended, not only did He take captivity captive, but also He gave gifts to His people.

Again, this is the kind of thing that would take place in a Roman triumphal parade. The conquerors would throw out coins (which were actually worth something significant in those days) to the surrounding crowds.

Part of the celebration was giving largesse to the people. Part of the overflow of abundance from conquering the enemy was giving gifts to the people.

Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to His followers (who descended on them in tongues of flame ten days after Ascension Day). And the whole world was set on fire of God.

There is much more that could be said, but this is an email, not a long-form article.

Let’s celebrate Ascension Day. Let’s rejoice that our Lord made that triumphal march all the way from the jaws of death and “up the steps,” as it were, to His coronation as King. 

We rejoice that He led captivity captive and gave gifts to His people. 

He is risen! And He is ascended! Hallelujah!

Rejoicing with you in our ascended Lord,

Rebecca

Untwisting Scriptures at heresthejoy.com

See my Untwisting Scriptures series

Trauma-informed Christian book coach at Rebecca Davis WordWorking

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