Jesus' Ascension closes the circle of love opened in the Incarnation. The Ascension of Jesus in His human nature takes us, His Body, completely into heaven. The Ascension is not Jesus’ closing act before dropping the curtain, having “done” what He set out to do. Jesus, out of love for us, became a human being in the flesh and redeemed us. Having redeemed us as our Priest, Sacrifice, and Advocate, He returns to His Father in the flesh to plead our cause at the right hand of God.
Hebrews 7:24 Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus’ Ascension is not a marginal event. It is the continuation “in heaven” of His Work “as it was on earth.”
So, the questions for the Ascension become: (1) do we really believe this is a watershed moment (and mystery) in Jesus’ life and (2) do we really believe that human flesh and blood now is in heaven? As one Divine put it ... Jesus' Ascension “reveals man to himself,” for where the Head has gone the Body will follow.
JSH+