The ascension of Jesus gets overlooked, but it’s a critical story in the drama of salvation and essential to the church’s participation in the mission of God. The ascension demonstrates Jesus’ authority over all creation, which then also establishes his way as superior to every other kingdom and empire and nation. The ascension, therefore, is a call to complete allegiance to Jesus and his way of love, even in the “real world.” But the ascension also gives us confidence to make disciples and to work for renewal in every square inch of creation.