The King Who Reigns (The Risen Christ at Work — Part 1: Ascension)

Today is Ascension Day!  


The Overlooked Moment

The ascension of Jesus is one of the most overlooked events in the Christian faith. It often receives far less attention than the cross or the resurrection, yet it is essential to understanding who Christ is and what He is doing now. In Acts 1, Jesus is taken up before His disciples, and a cloud hides Him from their sight. At first glance, this can seem like a quiet conclusion, a final departure after the work has been completed. But the ascension is not the end of Christ’s work. It is the beginning of His reign in a new and powerful way. 

The Exaltation of Christ

The ascension is not simply Jesus leaving earth; it is His exaltation. Ephesians 1 tells us that Christ has been raised and seated at the right hand of God, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. This is the language of kingship. The One who was rejected, mocked, and crucified is now enthroned. The ascension reveals that Jesus is not merely alive—He is reigning. His authority is not partial or limited. It is absolute. Every power, every authority, and every ruler is subject to Him.

The Reign of the King

This means that Christ is not distant or inactive. He is actively ruling over all things. The world is not moving randomly or outside of His control. History is not unfolding by chance. The risen Christ governs all things according to His purpose. This includes the rise and fall of nations, the events of history, and the lives of His people. The same Jesus who walked the roads of Galilee now rules over all creation. His reign is not future only; it is present and ongoing.

The Work That Continues

The ascension also shows us that the work of Christ did not stop at the resurrection. He continues His work, not by remaining physically present on earth, but by ruling from heaven. Hebrews tells us that He intercedes for His people. He is not passive. He is actively sustaining, guiding, and securing those who belong to Him. This means that salvation is not only accomplished in the past, but also applied and preserved in the present. Those who belong to Christ are not left on their own. They are kept by the One who reigns.

The Promise of the Spirit

Before ascending, Jesus tells His disciples to wait. He promises that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. The ascension is directly connected to what comes next. Christ reigns, and from His place of authority, He sends the Spirit to accomplish His purposes on earth. The work of Christ will continue, but it will do so through the power of the Spirit working in and through His people. The ascension is not separation; it is preparation for what is to come.

The Assurance for Believers

The ascension provides deep assurance for those who trust in Christ. If Jesus is reigning, then nothing is outside of His control. No circumstance, no suffering, and no uncertainty can overturn His purposes. This does not mean that life is easy, but it does mean that it is not meaningless. The One who died and rose again now rules with perfect authority and perfect wisdom. His reign guarantees that His promises will be fulfilled and that His people will be brought safely to the end.

Looking Ahead to Pentecost

The story does not end with the ascension. The disciples are told to wait, and in that waiting, something significant is about to happen. In ten days, on Pentecost, the promised Spirit will come. The reign of Christ will be made visible in a new way as the Spirit is poured out and the work of the gospel begins to spread. The King who reigns will now work through His people. Part 2 blog post will be on that day! 

Final Reflection

The ascension calls us to lift our eyes beyond what we can see. It reminds us that Jesus is not merely a figure from the past, but the reigning King in the present. He has not withdrawn from the world. He rules over it. He has not abandoned His people. He intercedes for them. To believe in Christ is not only to trust in what He has done, but to rest in what He is doing now. The King who was crucified and risen is now exalted, and His reign will never end.


Rooted in Jesus Grace,

Mara Wellspring 

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