Today we celebrate the fact that Christ ascended back to heaven 40 days after His resurrection. Ascension is a theme that appears in the mists and shadows of all redemptive history. It's there in the smoke of the ascension offerings which go up to God. It's there in the saints who bypass death like Elijah, and get taken directly to heaven. It's in Daniel's vision of the Son of Man going up to the Ancient of Days. The pattern of 40 days of probation also lurks quietly. Like Israel was in the wilderness for 40 years, so Christ is tested for 40 days before starting His public ministry. Elijah's ascension means his ministry is handed off to Elisha, just as Christ's ascension means His ministry is handed off to the Apostles after their testing. In the 40 days between Christ's resurrection and His ascension, these men go from sullen discouragement to cheerful boldness as they begin to understand what's happening. The work of Christ is to carry on through them, and now through us, as we announce the Lordship of Christ over all. We know the nations must turn to Christ. Every tongue must confess. Every knee must bow to the king of kings. Those knees that won't bow willingly will be forced to when the ascended Christ shatters them with His rod of iron. The Ascension of Christ means that sin no longer reigns. Unbelief is futile. Darkness no longer has the last word. Christ is king of king and lord of lords. He deserves all our honour, all our praise, and all our allegiance. This week, fight sin with ascension power. Lay claim on all of Christ, for all of life.

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