THE ASCENDED ONE

“So what is the climax and high point of the gospel? It’s the Ascension, Jesus being seated as Lord and King. The entire point of the gospel story–as the culmination of Israel’s story–is Jesus being enthroned as Ruler of the world and cosmos.

If you never get to that point in the story you fail to get to the defining Christian confession, that Jesus is “Lord of all.” And if you miss that, you miss the heart of the Christian life and community, confessing and swearing fealty (i.e., faith) to the one, true king.

In short, the climax of the gospel is the Ascension. But how many churches and church members celebrated that event last week or this past Sunday?

Very few, I’m guessing, which is diagnostic of why there are so many enduring problems with American Christianity.

We haven’t recognized, preached or celebrated the central point of the gospel.” Richard Beck

“Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Jesus