He Ascended Into Heaven (The Creed, Part 14)

[This devotion is part of our series on The Apostles’ Creed, you can find all the videos in there series on our Apostles’ Creed Page. The devotions will be added as they are posted.]

Ephesians 4:10, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5

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I believe he ascended into heaven. Christians are familiar with the major festivals in Jesus’ life. We celebrate Christmas, a time we love where we remember Jesus’ birth on earth. And we love the hymns, don’t we? Or there’s Easter. Every Christian celebrates Easter, Jesus’ victory over death. And again, we love the hymns. But what about Ascension? People will ask, what is Ascension?

Ascension happened 40 days after Easter, a 40-day period where Jesus appeared to his disciples, proving to them that he was truly alive from the dead, teaching them. And then at the end of those 40 days, Jesus takes him to the Mount of Olives, and before their eyes he’s lifted up into heaven and is hidden by the clouds. Ascension day is the capstone of Jesus work on earth. It’s the culmination. It’s the proof that he’s done, everything he came to do is now completed, and he’s returned to his father in heaven. I love how the Apostle Paul says it in Ephesians chapter four.

He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. (Ephesians 4:10,)

Jesus’ Ascension Day is essentially his coronation day, where he ascends to be seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and all things, all powers, everything is put under his feet. But why is that any different than before? Wasn’t Jesus already true God? Didn’t he already have all power in heaven and earth and all dominion over all things because he’s true God? The answer, of course, is yes, he did already have that power. But what makes the Ascension different is that now Jesus, as true man, has ascended to the very right hand of God the Father Almighty in heaven. Jesus, as a true man, rules over everything in the universe. And why that’s a comfort for you and me is, first of all, when we look at our world today and we see the chaos, we see the confusion. People ask who’s in charge, who’s driving this? What’s going on in the world? You and me know, we know that Jesus is in charge. Jesus is in control.

The very same brother who suffered and died for you, the very same one who loves you and gave his life for you, is ruling all things for your good. The other comfort we have is that as we go through this life and we feel alone, we feel isolated, and we live in a time where people will feel more isolated and lonely than ever before, but we have such a special comfort as Christians because of Jesus’ promise.

And surely I am with you always until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

Jesus, your brother, the same one who lives and reigns in heaven, who fills the whole universe, is also personally by your side every day to help you carry through, to help you carry your burdens, to assure you that you are not alone. He promises,

I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you.(Hebrews 13:5)

And so my invitation to you today is actually take time to mark your calendars. May 14th (2026) is Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter. Celebrate that wonderful festival, that capstone of Jesus’ life on earth. He ascended into heaven. Amen.