Lord’s Day, Vol. 9 No. 49
Christ’s Ascension
Jesus was buried on Friday evening before the beginning of the Sabbath day. This was the first day. The Sabbath day, on Saturday, was the second day. He rose from the dead the third day which is Sunday. The first evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the empty tomb when an angel descended from heaven and rolled back the stone that secured the tomb (Matthew 28:1-6). The resurrected Christ appeared before His disciples in a 40-day period gave them the final word of the Great Commission before His ascension to heaven.
Acts 1:6-11 (KJV) When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The description of Christ’s ascension was witnessed by His disciples – He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
The phrase “taken up” is literally “being lifted up”. Jesus bodily ascended to heaven, the place of God’s abode. It was a cloud that received Him to heavenly glory. A most amazing scene!
- Preparing Our Heavenly Home
The announcement by the two angels declared that Jesus has ascended to heaven (Acts 1:10). Jesus had earlier spoke of His ascension to heaven giving comfort to His disciples whenever they will miss their Saviour and His preparatory work for our heavenly home before His return to receive the church to glory – John 14:1-4 (KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
What assurance and hope for God’s people who may be facing incarceration and threatening dangers, weariness and exhaustion that there is a place of eternal rest we can look forward to, a rest for our bodies and our minds, and rest from our labours. What a wonderful prospect to spur us on!
(2) Christ’s Exaltation
After Jesus was ascended to heaven, He sat down at the heavenly throne at the right hand of the Father.
Hebrews 1:3 (KJV) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
The exalted position of the Son seated at the right hand of God ruling is a glorious picture language giving proof of the Deity of Christ, demonstrating Christ by a single sacrifice on the cross at Calvary was sufficient to purged our sins and He sat down on the right hand, a position of prominence, of greatness and importance and is used to describe God’s majesty.
Hebrews 8:1 (KJV) Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
The seat on the right of God is a seat of authority displaying the kingly office of Christ. A term that is ascribed to God and used also for the Son Jesus Christ to show His exalted position in heaven. Heaven is the place where God dwells and His Son is there with the Father as the exalted King that is in a position of honour.
(3) Christ’s Intercession
What is Jesus’ work at His place of exaltation? He is to our Advocate before the Father so that we will be kept protected till we see Him face to face. He receives our prayer and pleads our cause!
Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 2:17-18 (KJV) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Because Jesus is fully man, He is able to understand what we are going through. He has “been there”. He is able to understand the trials and temptations that comes our way. In Him, we find comfort and relief, wisdom and instruction.
(4) Our Comfort and Perseverance
God’s people are exhorted to faith and good works, that is, to assemble ourselves for worship, as a witness to the truth of the reality of the resurrected Christ in our lives to a Christless world, that we may by our courage and boldness, preach the gospel, preparing a people for Christ’s return.
Hebrews 10:21-25 (KJV) And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Christ’s ascension to heaven is a precursor to His imminent return. May the church be looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee