Ascension Alleluias and “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise” (#153)

It is unusual to think about a major worship service on a Thursday (other than Maundy Thursday in “Holy Week”).  But Ascension Day is always on a Thursday, forty days after Jesus’ Easter Sunday resurrection, and ten days before Pentecost Sunday.  If we take note of those other special days in our evangelical worship (not to mention Christmas!), should we not also be celebrating this glorious climax of Jesus’ earthly ministry?  His work of redemption didn’t end at the cross.  Nor did it end at the open tomb.  Although He said “It is finished” from the cross, referring to the atoning payment for our redemption, in a real sense his mission wasn’t completely finished until He returned to His heavenly throne at the Ascension.  And it will come to the fullest completion at His bodily return to gather all the elect and to create the long-awaited new heavens and new earth we read about in the latter chapters of Isaiah. 

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