ascension – From the Pulpit

Posted on May 17, 2026 by pastorkevinjud

Jesus Ascends So He Can Be With You

John Singleton Copley: The Ascension

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Ascension 2026
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
May 17, 2026
Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53

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It is graduation season. Graduation is the big day when a student finishes high school or college or basic training or preschool or Immanuel Lutheran 8th grade. The student has completed what they need to complete. This phase of their life is over. Is graduation an end or a beginning? Is it a celebration or is it a time of sadness? Is it a time of excited expectation, or anxiety and fear? It is all of those. There are a lot of mixed emotions going on at a graduation, for the one graduating and for their loved ones.

This is what is facing the disciples 40 days after Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus has completed His work on earth and will ascend into heaven. It appears that Jesus is leaving the disciples and going far, far away.

Let’s back up a bit before Jesus’ ascension… before His death and resurrection. What was it like for the disciples to be around Jesus during their time together? For the disciples it must have been a confusing exercise of contrasts. Jesus looks like a regular guy. He talks like a regular guy… well sometimes. Sometimes He teaches in ways that are out of this world. And He speaks with the authority of the Word of God. One minute He is walking down a dusty road and the next He is doing an amazing miracle that only God could do. He heals the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf. He drives out demons. He controls the weather. He produces abundant food. He even raises people from the dead. But He looks like a regular guy. He eats and sleeps and moves like a normal person and yet…it is clear…He is not a regular guy.

In John, Jesus talks about going away. John 16:4–6 (ESV) 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.”

The disciples will be sorrowful because Jesus is departing, but it will be better that Jesus goes away. John 16:7–8 (ESV) 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”

Jesus talks about going away but it is confusing. It will be a two stage process. First He will go away by being crucified and buried. John 16:20 (ESV) 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”

Jesus will go away for a few days and then will return. The disciples will be sorrowful and then joyful. At Jesus’ ascension He will go away for an unknown time and this makes the disciples sad. So when Jesus takes the disciples out to Bethany on the Mount of Olives …. Acts 1:6–8 (ESV) 6 …they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 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.” Jesus is not going to drive out the Romans or become the political ruler of Israel. Jesus mission is far beyond Israel. Jesus is King of the Jews, but more than that, Jesus is King of the universe.

Jesus is from eternity. He was God, without flesh, until 2,000 some years ago when He descended from heaven to take on human flesh in the womb of a virgin from Nazareth named Mary. From His conception until His ascension, Jesus limits His presence to where He is bodily. Jesus is in Bethlehem or Egypt or Nazareth or Jerusalem or Galilee. He is where His body is and He is present for the people in that location. His ascension changes everything.

Acts 1:9 (ESV) 9 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.”

The disciples are left staring into heaven with mouths hanging open and minds racing in bewilderment at what just happened. Why did He leave us? Where is He going? When is He coming back? What do we do now? Jesus seems very far away.

Acts 1:10-11 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

After His ascension Jesus ceases to restrict Himself to one location and takes His place at the right hand of God. Where is the right hand of God? It is everywhere. Ephesians 4:10 (ESV) 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)” The right hand of God is everywhere and it is a position of power revealed to you by the Holy Spirit… Ephesians 1:18–23 (ESV) 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know … what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” The Church is Jesus’ Body on earth. The Church is the fullness of him who fills all in all. Jesus’ ascension is Jesus taking His place as King of the Universe far above all earthly power and authority. He is King and He fills all things and He works through His Church… Ephesians 3:9–11 (ESV) 9 …to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord…” The Church makes known the truth of Christ’s kingship over all of the forces of evil and darkness that are at work in our world. The Church is God’s plan for salvation for all people. Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus says, Matthew 16:18 (ESV) 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus’ Church will triumph.

Jesus was with the disciples and others in Galilee and Jerusalem. Jesus ascends into heaven so that… through the Church… He can be with you; He can be with everyone. His ascension is confusing and sad for the disciples, but their sorrow turns to joy. For us, it is a cause of great celebration. Jesus is not far away, He is right here with us. As reflected in the Psalm chosen for this Sunday. Psalm 47:1–3 (ESV) 1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.”

Jesus is King of the Universe and you are in His Kingdom. He is the head of His Body, the Church, and you are a part of His Church. Through baptism and the Word of God, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. Whereas God once dwelt with His people in the Tabernacle, and the Temple, and in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, now God dwells in you. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and Jesus lives in your heart. He comes to you in His Word and in His Body and Blood.

Ascension is Jesus completing His redemptive work on earth. He drank the cup of God’s wrath. He conquered sin, death and the devil. Jesus is victorious. Christ is Risen! He proclaims victory over the devil. He completes His work of salvation and ascends to rules in power, grace and glory, working salvation through His Church by delivering forgiveness won on the cross to His followers through baptism, through the word of the God, through the words of absolution, and in His own body and blood in Holy Communion. Jesus ascends in victory to deliver the victory to you. Amen.

Posted on May 12, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Where is Jesus?

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Ascension 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
May 12, 2024
Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53

Where is heaven? Where is Jesus? The last anyone saw Jesus in the flesh was on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem.

At the end of the Gospel of Luke Jesus gives final instructions. Luke 24:44–49 (ESV) 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

He leads the apostles out to Bethany on the Mount of Olives and tells them, Acts 1:8–9 (ESV) 8 …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.” 9 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.”

That is the last time anyone saw Jesus in the flesh. The 11 apostles just stand there staring up into heaven where Jesus had just been, but now is no longer. Jesus has gone into heaven and two angels in white robes tell the apostles, Acts 1:11 (ESV) 11 … “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus went into heaven and Jesus will return from heaven on the last day. So where is heaven? Where is Jesus?

I believe we can sometimes think about heaven being very far away, almost like God is somewhere far off in outer space or somewhere very far removed from us. Like He is way up high on a mountain looking down at the little houses in the valley, but it all looks like toys or something from that distance. Kind of like God is there… but not really that involved.

So where is heaven? Where is Jesus? In this account from Acts 1 Jesus ascends into the air and disappears into a cloud. Has Jesus abandoned earth? Where is Jesus?

At the incarnation in Nazareth Jesus takes on a physical body and then is born in Bethlehem. Where is Jesus then? He is in Mary’s womb. He is lying in a manger. In His conception and birth, Jesus, God the Son, enters His state of humiliation where He does not fully use His divine powers. In His pre-resurrection body Jesus is located in one place at a time. He is in Bethlehem, or Jerusalem, or Egypt, or Nazareth, or Capernaum. He is in one place at a time and travels in a normal human way between places. When He is raised from the dead He has a transformed body that allows Him to be in heaven– and on earth—and to be omnipresent; present everywhere. We even see glimpses of this before His ascension as He disappears from Emmaus and then is back in Jerusalem and appears inside a locked room.

Forty days after His resurrection, at His ascension, Jesus transitions to being fully omnipresent.

At His ascension Jesus goes from being on the Mount of Olives to being everywhere; to being with believers in Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, you have Jesus in you. As St. Paul describes his status as a Christian, Galatians 2:20 (ESV) 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

Jesus is in heaven, Jesus is in you, Jesus is present where two or three are gathered, Jesus comes to you in baptism, Jesus comes to you in His Body and Blood in Holy Communion for the forgiveness of your sins, and Jesus is omnipresent; He is present everywhere. Jesus’ ascension is not Jesus’ departure but rather Jesus’ heightened presence everywhere–especially in His followers.

On that day atop the Mount of Olives Jesus ascends into heaven and as the angels tell the apostles, Jesus will return one day. The apostles wait for Jesus to return and we are still waiting. When will Jesus return? We do not know. But as we think about Jesus’ return a question that comes to mind is, “What should I be doing when Jesus returns?” Because He could return this afternoon–or He may not return for 10,000 years. What should I be doing? You should be going through your normal day doing the normal things that you have been given to do. Washing dishes, cooking dinner, crunching numbers, calling a client, cleaning your room, doing your homework, relaxing and recharging, sleeping, praying, worshiping in church. What should I not be doing? What would you not want to be doing when Jesus returns? You don’t want to be clicking away on the dark side of the internet feeding your lusts and perversions. You don’t want to be trash talking someone. You don’t want to be treating your parents with hatred and contempt. You don’t want to be passed out dead drunk. You don’t want to be insulting and belittling your wife or husband. You don’t want to be in bed with someone other than your spouse. You don’t want to be caught in open sin when Jesus returns. And so, each day, you battle your sin in your mind–before it becomes words and deeds–and you feel guilt and sadness when you give in to temptation–and you continue to repent of your sin in thought, word and deed. You continue to remember you are baptized; your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus dwells in you and He forgives your sins, and, because of Jesus, you are the light of the world. Jesus is coming back one day and do you want to be ready for His return.

And so Jesus, in love, calls you to repent; to have a change of heart and change your direction from being drawn toward sin and instead, Joel 2:13 (ESV) 13 … Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

But thinking this way about being ready for Jesus’ return can tempt you to think that since Jesus is ascended and is way far away and He probably is not coming back today all that worry about His return can wait for another day and a little sin won’t hurt.

Truly, you want to be ready for His return, but Jesus is not way far away–Jesus is right with you. He is with you now–here as we gather to receive His gifts. So the better question to ask is, “What should I being doing with Jesus today? Because Jesus is right with you when you surf evil on the web. He is there when you talk badly about others. He is there when you disrespect your parents. He is right with you when you’re getting sloppy drunk. He is with you when you are yelling at your spouse. He is with you when you are committing sexual immorality. Jesus is with you always and knows exactly what you are doing. You can try to hide things from others, but there is no hiding your sin from Jesus.

And so Jesus, in love, calls you to repent; to have a change of heart and change your direction from being drawn toward sin and instead, Joel 2:13 (ESV) 13 … Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

As Jesus’ Church we continue to do as Jesus instructed, Luke 24:47 (ESV) 47 …that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” As Jesus’ Church we are in the business of repentance and forgiveness. Over and over and over Jesus here delivers to you His forgiveness, won on the cruel cross at Golgotha. He gives you grace in your baptism, in the words of absolution, in His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Jesus forgives you abundantly and He calls you to live each day in Him, with Him, for Him, as a light in this dark world. Jesus lives in you, so always remember who you are in Him and live out your identity.

Martin Luther writes about Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father. “I preach that he [Christ] sits on the right hand of God and rules over all creatures, sin, death, life, world, devils, and angels; if you believe this, you already have him in your heart. Therefore your heart is in heaven, not in an apparition or dream, but truly. For where he is, there you are also. So he dwells and sits in your heart, yet he does not fall from the right hand of God. Christians experience and feel this clearly.” [1]

Where is heaven? Heaven is beyond your understanding, but your heart is in heaven. Where is Jesus? He is at the right hand of God. He is in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. He is in you, and He is everywhere. Jesus did not depart at His ascension. He ascended into heaven to be with you, for you, forever. Amen.

[1][“The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ — Against the Fanatics” (1526) in Luther’s Basic Writings, 3rd ed., 227]