The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Associate Pastor
We are all familiar with “being in Christ” with regard to our baptism. Romans 6:3–4 makes it very clear: being baptized into Christ means being baptized into his death and being raised to newness of life. We entered into death “in Christ” and “into resurrection” in baptism. That should be a great consolation to every believer: no longer enslaved to sin, but having new life in Christ (6:5–8).
The same is true regarding the ascension of Jesus, which the church observed this past week. We, as believers, also share in his ascension into heaven to reign and rule. Paul implies in Colossians 3:1 that we sit at the right hand of God with Christ, and that being heavenly, we are to be heavenly-minded even as we live on earth. Ephesians 2:6 says it explicitly: “and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
So you are an “ascension” person in Christ. You are heavenly bound, by and in faith and finally as part of the Bride of Christ (Revelation 20–22). You are a person who transcends the boundaries between heaven and earth in Christ. Presently, this is all by faith, for faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
But God hasn’t left us without any practice of ascension in this life. Every week, in worship, you ascend as part of the body of Christ into his heavenly presence, gathered around the throne. You are called to heaven, washed for the trip, and then having ascended, you are transformed by his word and meal. For while in heaven, you feed on Christ, that you may become more like Christ! And then Jesus sends you back down to earth to share the good news of his Lordship, and so invite the world to join you next week in our weekly ascension!