Thursday, May 9, is a very special day. Although most calendars don’t note it, it is one of the most important days on the Christian Church calendar. It’s called Ascension Day. Forty days after he rose from the dead, Jesus’ disciples gathered on a hilltop where they viewed their savior physically ascend into heaven.
Some might be tempted to think of Christ’s ascension as a forgotten footnote in the Bible; a piece of theological trivia that has little or no practical impact on our lives. They’re wrong. Christ’s ascension means so much to us. It means that his work of salvation is complete. It means that Jesus has returned to his place of power and authority, ruling all things for the good of his church. It means that he now lives to intercede for people, ensuring that our prayers are heard and answered.
But there’s another important truth that the ascension of Jesus assures us of. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus told his disciples, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you,” (John 14:2). The “house” Jesus was referring to is, of course, heaven. He tells us that there is a place waiting for those who love him and trust in his promises. Yet so many people, including those who believe in Jesus, go through life wondering and worrying whether they will be welcomed into heaven when their lives come to an end.
It reminds me of a trip my wife and I took many years ago. We were driving across the plains of South Dakota with our two-year-old son. Unsure of how far we would get that day we didn’t bother making any hotel reservations, but instead figured we would just find a room somewhere when we got tired. Famous last words. It was getting late. We were tired. Our toddler was cranky. Towns with motels were few and far between. When we finally got to a sizeable city with several motels near the highway every single one displayed a “no vacancy” sign. Lesson learned: Never take a trip without having reservations again.
Jesus’ ascension into heaven and his promise that he has gone there to prepare a place for us is exactly like having a reservation. This reservation is not for a cheap motel or even a luxury five-star resort. Our room is in heaven. And this room is ready and waiting for us, whenever we get there. It’s a lavish room. And it’s an expensive room. It was paid for with Jesus’ shed blood. And it’s guaranteed by Jesus’ ascension.
That means we can go through life with complete confidence, knowing exactly what’s waiting for us when our journey comes to an end. We need not wonder about what awaits us. We need not worry about being refused entry into heaven. For our savior himself will be there, ready to welcome us with open arms.
Jesus’ ascension means your room in heaven is ready and waiting for you. And that’s reason to celebrate!
• Brent Merten is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. “Living & Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders. It appears every Saturday on the Juneau Empire’s Faith page.
