Ascension Day
- sac7kt
- Jan 27, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 28, 2025
As Knights Templar we observe several special days during the year. One is Ascension day which was May 9 this year. In the Encyclopedia of freemasonry it is called Holy Thursday and a Feast day for Rose Croix chapters. The Ascension of our Lord occurred 40 days after His resurrection and is recorded in only Luke as well as Acts 1. Matthew and Mark record some of Jesus’ final words to his disciples but not the ascension. Ascension observance is uniquely Christian since it does not coincide with any other holidays or observances
“And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.”
Luke 24:50-53 ESV
“So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”
Acts 1:6-9 ESV
The Ascension is an event often overlooked by the church. Yet it is a redemptive event and an important event in the life of a Christian.
It was a turning point for the disciples. Before his arrest, Jesus had told the disciples he was leaving them and had to be this way. They watched as he was arrested, tortured, and crucified. Even with the news of the resurrection they were not completely over the events. This had to be a sad occasion since they had walked and ministered with him for three years. Yet over 40 days later they are entering Jerusalem “with great joy and were in the temple blessing God”! What was the difference?!
Jesus left earth in a cloud. A cloud of God’s glory. Shekinah glory. He returned to receive the glory he had left when he descended to earth to become God incarnate. Isaiah 6 (“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.” Isaiah 6:1, 4 ESV) and John (“At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:” Revelation 4:2-3, 5-6 ESV) both describe the glory of God. So the disciples knew where Jesus was going.
Jesus left to be coronated. He was crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords. A cosmic authority was given Him. He now rules heaven and earth. He is the head of the church and in the highest seat of authority in the universe. John Calvin said, “Being raised to heaven, he withdrew his bodily presence from our sight, not that He might cease to be with his followers, who are still pilgrims on the earth, but that He might rule both heaven and earth more immediately by His power.” The disciples knew who Jesus was and what was going to happen. They knew he was in control.
Jesus left to send a helper. This helper is the Holy Spirit. A paraclete provides advice and comfort. The disciples were told that they would be Christ’s witnesses at home, in their area, foreign areas, and around the world. The Holy Spirit will also strengthen the believers. The disciples knew Jesus would always be with them.
Jesus left to be our High priest. He is our mediator and advocate to the Father. He went to heaven to preserve the saints that were given him. He promised to pray for his followers but not the world. John 16:9- “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but those whom you have given me, for they are yours”. The disciples knew that Jesus would be praying and advocating for them
Allow me to remind you of an address the Prelate gives the candidate in the Order of the Temple:
PILGRIM, THE SCENE YOU HAVE JUST WITNESSED IS INTENDED TO REMIND YOU OF THE GLORIOUS CONCLUSION OF THAT HALLOWED SACRIFICE OFFERED BY THE REDEEMER OF THE WORLD TO PROVIDE A WAY OF SALVATION TO FALLEN MAN. …OUR BLESSED SAVIOUR, AFTER SUFFERING THE PAINS OF DEATH, DESCENDED INTO THE PLACE OF DEPARTED SPIRITS; THAT ON THE THIRD DAY HE BURST THE BANDS OF DEATH, TRIUMPHED OVER THE GRAVE, AND IN DUE TIME ASCENDED WITH TRANSCENDENT MAJESTY INTO HEAVEN, WHERE HE NOW SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, A MEDIATOR AND INTERCESSOR FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN HIM.
So that is all and good, but what does it have to do with me?!
Like the disciples, because Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father, we can have the confidence that Jesus knows and rules all things in heaven and on earth. His glory is beyond description and He prepares a place for His own. He is in control of all things that happen and as believers “all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes”. He walks besides us and guides us. Comforts us when we need it and intercesses and advocates for us to the Father.
Let us encourage one another with this good news as we go through our pilgrimage of life.
Sir Knight David Powell
May 2024
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