“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:6–7)
We think often of Christ’s death and resurrection. But how often do we think of his ascension?
The Apostles’ Creed says, ‘He ascended into heaven.’ We recall that the disciples watched Jesus ascend until “a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Today, we wonder how to interpret this.
Theologically, Christ’s ascension is very important. Now Christ’s presence is with us, wherever we are. He is not confined to an earthly body. Now we have the Holy Spirit with us too (John 16:7, 13–14).
This is all we need for the Christian life, isn’t it? We experience the power of Jesus Christ in our lives, by the Holy Spirit.
This is, for Calvin, the abundant help and blessing that carries us through our lives and brings us to death with a deep joy:
‘For they were then taught by a surer experience that the authority he wielded and the power he exercised were sufficient for believers not only to live blessedly but also to die happily.’ (Institutes 2.16.14)
God’s Spirit in Christ blesses us. Christ has ascended ‘so his power and energy were diffused and spread beyond all the bounds of heaven and earth’ (2.6.14).
The power we need for living is ours. It is the power of the risen and ascended Christ. This presence and power blesses us daily in all things. To live with a consciousness of Jesus Christ present with us in the here and now—what better blessing can there be?
We can live blessedly but also die happily. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. We are secure now and in eternity. We do not fear. Praise the ascended Christ who is ever with us!
– from ‘Coffee with Calvin: Daily Devotions’ by Donald McKim