The Ascension: The Completion of Christ’s Work and the Beginning of the Church's Mission (Luke 24:44-53)

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 in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the 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.”

50 Then he led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. 51 As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple praising God.

In verses 44-45, Jesus recalls the Old Testament Scriptures that foretold his suffering, death, and resurrection.  He opens the minds of the disciples so they can understand how these Scriptures point to him.  This moment emphasizes the unity of the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating that Jesus' life and mission fulfill God's eternal plan.  The reference to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms is a summary of the Hebrew Scriptures, highlighting that all of these point toward Christ's redemptive mission (cf. Matt 5:17-18).  Jesus’ interpretation of the Scriptures is pivotal, as it reveals the continuity of God's plan across salvation history.

Jesus commissions his disciples (vv. 46-48) to be witnesses of his death and resurrection, which are the heart of the Gospel.  He instructs them to preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.  This mission anticipates the worldwide spread of the Gospel which is fulfilled through the Church’s mission (cf. Matt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).  The disciples are entrusted with the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins, a central theme of Jesus' ministry (cf. Matthew 9:6). The disciples' role is to witness to these events and spread the message of salvation that Jesus has secured.

Jesus tells the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they are "clothed with power from on high" (v. 49).  This refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will empower them to fulfill the mission Jesus has given them.  The Holy Spirit’s coming is fulfilled on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and is essential for understanding the Church's mission and ongoing life in the world.  The Holy Spirit enables the disciples to witness to Christ boldly and to extend the grace of God to the world.  The "power from on high" highlights the supernatural assistance they will receive, which is crucial for their task (cf. John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8).

In verses 50-51, Jesus leads the disciples to Bethany, where he blesses them and is taken up into heaven. The Ascension marks the completion of Jesus' earthly mission and his return to the Father (cf. Acts 1:9-11). The event is not a departure but a fulfillment, confirming that Jesus has completed the work the Father gave him and now reigns at the Father’s right hand (cf. Mark 16:19).  The Ascension marks the end of Jesus' visible presence on earth, while also confirming the promise of his continuing work through the Holy Spirit in the Church.

After witnessing the Ascension, the disciples return to Jerusalem with great joy and are continually in the temple, praising God.  This joy reflects their newfound understanding of Jesus' mission and victory over death.  Their worship and praise naturally flow from their understanding of Jesus' exaltation and their new commission to spread the Gospel.  

The disciples' joy stemmed from their deeper understanding of how the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to Jesus' mission, which was now complete.  They rejoiced not only because they had witnessed the fulfillment of God's plan but also because they had been entrusted with the mission to bear witness to Christ’s death and resurrection, empowered by the Holy Spirit (cf. Heb 4:14-16).

Lord Jesus, we thank you for fulfilling the promises of salvation through your life, death, and resurrection.  As we reflect on your Ascension, we ask that you strengthen our faith, fill us with the joy of your victory, and empower us through the Holy Spirit to be faithful witnesses to your love and mercy.  Amen.

                                                       

Sources

• McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
• Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
• Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: The Pentateuch. Four Courts Press, 2017
• Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
• Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
• Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.