The ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father is celebrated on the Christian calendar as taking place thirty-nine days after Easter Sunday. This is officially celebrated on a Thursday. Interesting fact: My denomination gives little attention to Ascension Day. In fact, I do not remember a time in my faith tradition when church leadership–including myself–ever celebrated this day with church members. Regardless, the Ascension marked a very significant date on the divine timetable, one in which the Messiah was exalted to the right-hand of the Father and was a precursor to the global Gentile mission.
For the most part, Jesus’ interaction with Gentiles was limited. We read of the demon possessed man from the Decapolis (Mark 5:1-20), Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30), centurion of Capernaum (Luke 7:1-10), and that “he had to pass through Samaria” (John 4:4, ESV) where he engaged the woman and her village. The Twelve were commanded to “go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 10:5-6).
The Nativity and the Ascension were bookends that served as a major transitory state in the mission of God. The gospel was (and is) rightly “to the Jew first” (Rom 1:16). While the Gospels foreshadowed a great ingathering of Gentiles predicted in the Old Testament, the Messiah, His ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension had to come first.
Before the Kingdom Come, the gospel had to be proclaimed to all peoples (Mark 13:10). There would be no end and the restoration of all things until this occurred (Matt 24:14).
But such was not to happen before the Ascension.
On that day 2000 years ago, the disciples inquired if it was time for the Kingdom to be restored to Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus told them they should be more concerned with His mission than end-time dates. He already taught them about His departure and the Spirit to come (John 14). Joel’s prophecy was about to be fulfilled (Joel 2:28-32). The last days were about to begin. A global apostolic witness was about to take place (Acts 1:8) before the Day of the Lord.
But first the glorified Christ had to ascend to the Father and the Spirit had to come.
A disciple making movement deep into Gentile territory would rock the first century Church (Acts 15:1-35). Though internal conflict and external opposition would attempt to stop the multiplication of disciples, churches, and leaders, the proclamation of the Kingdom of God would continue “without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). The gospel would spread to the West. . . and to the East, North, and South.
And because of Spirit-empowered, apostolic workers, we came to faith in the one who “ascended on high” (Eph 4:8) and were grafted in to the olive tree (Rom 9:11-24).
Every believer has much to be thankful for on this Ascension Day, but we Gentiles should be doubly thankful. The global work continues. We now have the honor of partnering with that same Spirit and preaching that good news to all peoples as we await the return of our ascended Messiah.
What an amazing grace we Gentiles have received! What an amazing privilege we have been given! What an amazing Savior we have!