The Ascension of Jesus - Jesse Morgan
Have you ever felt like you were standing at the edge of something enormous—watching someone you love walk away, uncertain of what comes next, but somehow knowing that everything is about to change? That's the space the disciples found themselves in as they watched Jesus disappear into the clouds. It wasn't an ending. It was the beginning of something they couldn't yet comprehend.
Last Sunday evening, Jesse Morgan walked us through one of the most pivotal moments in Christian history—the Ascension of Jesus—as we began our new series exploring the book of Acts. Jesse brought his characteristic energy and insight to Acts 1:1-11, helping us see that this wasn't just a miraculous disappearing act, but a deliberate, planned transition into a new age of faith.
You can watch Jesse’s message on the ascension of Jesus above or listen to the full sermon below.
Not Magic, But a New Beginning
Jesse opened with a personal story about his childhood fascination with magic—the instruction books, the masked magician on TV revealing all the secrets, and the eventual disillusionment when he realized it was all just "smoke and mirrors." But the Ascension, Jesse reminded us, is different. This disappearing act was no trick. It was a strategic, intentional step into a new era where God's presence would become more accessible, not less.
Luke, the author of Acts, doesn't rush through this moment. He lingers on it, giving us detail and context. Why? Because the Ascension is not a farewell—it's a promise and a beginning. It marks the transition from Jesus' physical ministry on earth to the Spirit-empowered mission of the church.
The Significance of 40 Days
Jesse drew our attention to a number that appears again and again throughout Scripture: 40. Noah's flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights. Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the Law. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning his ministry. And here in Acts, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days after his resurrection.
This isn't coincidence. Hebrew writers used numbers symbolically to convey theological meaning. Jesse explained that whenever the number 40 appears, it marks a period of testing, trial, or preparation that precedes a spiritual transition—a new understanding of God and a new way of relating to him.
"Luke wants us to recognize these periods were difficult, scary, and it felt like wandering through uncharted territory. But the ultimate end was a fresh revelation of God's love for us, a new understanding of God's call on the Israelites and our lives."
The 40 days Jesus spent with his disciples after the resurrection weren't just about proving he was alive. They were about preparing them for what came next—a world without Jesus physically present, but with something even better: the Holy Spirit.
The Disciples' Confusion and Jesus' Reframing
During those 40 days, Jesus gave the disciples a command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:4-5).
The disciples, still wrestling with their expectations, asked, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (v. 6). Jesse didn't mock this question. Instead, he helped us see it as entirely reasonable given their understanding of the Messiah. The Old Testament prophets—Ezekiel, Daniel, Samuel—had spoken of a conquering king who would defeat Israel's enemies, gather the scattered tribes, and install Jerusalem as the center of a renewed world.
But Jesus had a bigger vision. The goal was never just Israel. The goal was the world.
"The goal is for everyone to know God. The goal is ultimately for the world to be taken over by the love of Jesus. Not through might, not through war, not through armies, but through sacrifice, through kindness, through the Holy Spirit."
Jesus reframed the mission in Acts 1:8: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Notice the progression:
Jerusalem — where they were comfortable, where they could process this together
Judea — still Jewish heartland, but beyond their immediate community
Samaria — confronting and uncomfortable, reaching their enemies
The ends of the earth — the ultimate mission, including the Gentiles, including everyone
Jesse connected this to Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones (Ezekiel 37)—a prophecy of Israel's restoration that finds its ultimate fulfillment not in a political overthrow, but in the Spirit-empowered mission of the church bringing life to the world.
Three Tensions We Must Hold
One of the most compelling parts of Jesse's sermon was his exploration of three apparent contradictions in the Ascension narrative—tensions that feel like "either/or" choices but are actually "both/and" realities we're called to live in.
1. Jesus is Absent AND More Present Than Ever
It seems obvious: wouldn't it have been better if Jesus had stayed? But Jesse challenged this assumption. As great as Jesus was, his human body had limitations. He could only be in one place at a time. His physical absence opened the door for his omnipresence through the Holy Spirit. Now every believer, everywhere, can experience intimacy with Jesus simultaneously.
Jesse quoted Tim Keller:
"The ascension means Jesus is not less present but more present than when he walked the earth. In his physical body, Jesus could only be in one place at one time. Now, through the Spirit, he can be intimately present with every believer simultaneously."
2. We Are Called to Contemplation AND Action
When Jesus ascended, the disciples stood staring into the sky. Two angels appeared and essentially asked, "Why are you standing around doing nothing?" (v. 11). They needed to act. But Jesus had also told them to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit. So which is it—wait or go?
Both. Jesse explained that activism without spiritual grounding leads to burnout and ego. Contemplation without action leads to isolation. But contemplative action—action empowered and directed by the Spirit—is sustainable, fruitful, and blessed.
3. The Kingdom is Now AND Not Yet
Jesus ascended to his throne. He reigns now. His kingdom is here. And yet, the job isn't finished. Jesus will return. We live in the "already and not yet"—the tension between what God has accomplished and what he has promised to complete.
"The ascension is not a farewell, but a promise and a beginning."
Greater Things Than These
Perhaps the most challenging part of Jesse's message was his reflection on Jesus' words in John 14:12-14: "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
Jesse admitted he struggles to believe this verse. Can we really do greater things than Jesus? But he asked a powerful question: When has Jesus ever lied? When has his promise not come true? So why would we doubt a man who conquered the grave to redeem us?
The Ascension wasn't a magic trick designed to dazzle or confuse. It was a carefully orchestrated transition. Jesus explained the why and the how. He prepared his disciples. He gave them instructions. And then he ascended to his throne—not as a failure, but as a conqueror—and sent the Spirit to empower his church.
"Jesus is no magician performing a trick. He is the conquering king ascending to a throne to rule through relationship."
N.T. Wright puts it this way: "The ascension is the dramatic statement that Jesus is now in charge of the world, not Caesar, not the prime minister, not the multinationals. He is the Lord and King. The world doesn't always look like it believes this, but that's exactly why Acts follows the ascension. The church's job is to make the lordship of Jesus visible through Spirit-empowered witness."
One Way to Live It Out This Week
This week, identify one person in your life—a friend, family member, neighbour, or coworker—who doesn't yet know Jesus. Instead of rushing into action, spend time in contemplation first. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to love them well, to open doors for conversation, and to give you courage. Then take one small, concrete step toward being a "Spirit-empowered witness" in their life. It might be an invitation to coffee, a thoughtful text, or simply showing up in a way that reflects Christ's love. Remember: you're not doing this in your own strength.
A Prayer for Your Week
Jesus, we come before you in awe of your sacrifice and grateful for the opportunity to continue your mission. For those of us who feel like dry bones—tired, discouraged, unsure—would you breathe fresh wind into us? Help us to contemplate with your Spirit, to be guided by your direction, and to be renewed. Give us courage to take up the mantle. Help us realise that it's our turn to show the earth who you are—to take the gospel outside our comfort zones and into a world desperate to know your love. We trust your promises because you have never failed us. In your name we pray. Amen.
Personal Reflection
Which of the three tensions Jesse explored (Jesus absent/present, contemplation/action, now/not yet) do you find most challenging to hold in balance? Why?
What does it mean for you personally that Jesus is "more present" now through the Holy Spirit than he could have been in physical form?
Jesse asked, "When has Jesus ever lied to you? When has his promise not come true?" Reflect on a time when God proved faithful to a promise. How does that memory shape your trust in him today?
Small Group Discussion
Read Acts 1:1-11 together. What stands out to you most from this passage?
Jesse explained the biblical significance of the number 40. Can you think of other examples in Scripture where a period of testing or waiting led to a new understanding of God? What can we learn from these patterns?
The disciples expected Jesus to restore Israel's political kingdom. How did Jesus reframe their expectations? How does he reframe our expectations of what his kingdom looks like?
Jesse said, "Activism without spiritual grounding leads to burnout and ego. Contemplation without action leads to isolation." Have you experienced either of these extremes? What does "contemplative action" look like practically?
What does it mean to you that "the kingdom is now and not yet"? How should this shape the way we live as Christians today?
Jesse quoted John 14:12: "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these." Do you struggle to believe this, like Jesse does? Why or why not?
In what specific ways can our community "make the lordship of Jesus visible through Spirit-empowered witness" in our neighbourhood, workplaces, and schools?
How can we pray for one another as we seek to live as Spirit-empowered witnesses in the places God has put us?