Holy Day or Holiday

Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV)

¹⁴ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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Is today a holy day or a holiday?  We tend to make a distinction.  We think of a holy day as a day set aside to remember and offer God worship for some great act He did on our behalf.  A holiday, on the other hand, is a day off to go hiking or camping - to cookout and has friends over. So which is it – a holiday or a holy day?  The answer is yes!   It’s both.   

In Germany everyone has today off.  Even our neighborhood bakery is closed.  Today is a holiday.  It is also a holy day.  The fact that our local church bells were ringing at 10 a.m.. on a Thursday was a sure fire sign it’s a holy day.  In fact it’s one of the holiest days of the Christian year. Today is the Festival of the Ascension of our Lord.  The Germans call it Christi Himmelfahrt. Sadly, Ascension is sometimes called “the forgotten festival.”  I have yet to be the Pastor of a church that actually has a worship service on Ascension Day..

The Ascension of our Lord has so much meaning for our faith.  Let’s think about that for a moment. As we do we need to note that when Jesus ascended into heaven, he ascended bodily.  It’s so important that we understand that Jesus is still both God and man. He didn’t leave his body behind.  He didn’t stop being a man. 

So what does the Ascension of our God/Man Savior Jesus mean for our faith?  It means first of all, that now a flesh and blood man is King of kings and Lord of lords.  Think of what the Scriptures say.  Philippians 2 – “God has highly exalted Him and placed on Him the name that is above all things.”  In Ephesians 1 Paul writes that God “has seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority…”  God “has put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church…”  Ascension Day is our Savior’s coronation day. 

Think what that means.  The Savior who loved us and gave up His life for us, now rules all things.  We can trust Him.  We can face the unknown future with confidence because He is the one who holds us and our futures in His loving hands.  Take this a step further.  The King of kings is one of us.  He has walked around in our shoes.  He has been tempted in every way as we are except He is without sin.  He has known thirst, loneliness, betrayal, physical and emotional anguish, grief and more.  When you come to Jesus with your concerns in prayer you come knowing He understands what you are going through. He went through it Himself.  Now all power and authority in heaven and on earth are His.  That means He has the power to answer our prayers.  The passage above says it so well – Because Jesus has ascended “let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Holiday or holy day?  Ascension Day is both - a Day for celebrating that Jesus the Son of God who became our brother to save us, has now become our King to rule over us and take care of us.