The Reverend Harold A. Linn, Pastor

The Ascension of Christ - Why You Should Care

By Dr. Richard P. Bucher

Bible Passages provided by BibleGateway.com

Forty days after he had risen from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven. That is, as his disciples watched in stunned silence on the Mount of Olives, Jesus rose into the air until he was lost from sight behind the clouds (Acts 1:9-11). He was “taken up into heaven” as the Scriptures put it (Mark 16:19; Luke 9:51, 24:50-51) and sat down on the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Acts 7:55). Or as he himself described it, “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father” (John 16:28; see also John 6:60, 17:11, 20:17). Why did this happen and why should you care?

You should care because, along with his incarnation, birth, crucifixion, and resurrection, the ascension was one of the major events of our Lord’s saving work. From the very beginning it was recognized to be so. For example, the Apostles’ Creed, a baptismal creed that dates back to the Second Century, includes it among the key events of Christ’s saving work in the words, “He ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.”

You should care because Christ’s ascension was an event of supreme joy and triumph for him. Having endured the cross and the shame, having fully accomplished his mission of atoning for the sins of the world, Jesus returned to heaven and received glory as a conquering hero (Hebrews 1:3; 12:2).

An amazing passage in Daniel actually pictures Jesus on the other side of the clouds arriving in heaven: ¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14). Our Lord’s ascension and sitting down at God’s right hand, was a moment of glorious exaltation: ⁸ “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil 2:8-9). So, first of all, you should care about Jesus’ ascension because it was a moment of incredible victory for him, after having suffered so much to save us.

You should care about Christ’s ascension because it is unparalleled good news for you. Why? It is good news because, having sat down at the right hand of God, Jesus now uses his full power for the benefit of his church, which means all believers—and you. For that is what “sitting down at the right hand of God” means. In the Scriptures God’s right hand refers to his almighty power, not a specific location (e.g., Psalm 20:6; 89:13; 98:1). So sitting down at God’s right hand means that Jesus, now also according to his human nature, has been given the same almighty power to guide and bless his church (See Matthew 28:18; Jesus is the one “who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things” Ephesians 4:10). According to Scripture, he does this in at least four ways.

First, Jesus ascended into heaven as our forerunner to secure a place in heaven for us. On the night before he died our Lord said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” And God’s Word in Hebrews 6 declares, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰ where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” This gives us certainty that a place in heaven has already been reserved for us who believe in Jesus (See also 1 Peter 1:3-5).

Second, the Bible tells us that at the right hand of God, Jesus continues to intercede for us: According to a little known teaching of Scripture, Satan continually accuses believers before God whenever they sin (See Job 1-2; Zechariah 3; Revelation 12:9-10). But Jesus intercedes for us and pleads to the Father on our behalf on the basis of his atoning work. In the words of Romans 8, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-- more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (See also 1 John 2:1-2).

Third, as we strive to make disciples of all nations and proclaim the Gospel, we are not alone. Christ himself works with us and through us in this holy work. He does this by giving the gift of Pastors and teachers to his church (Eph 4:11). And he does this by arranging the affairs of the world so that they ultimately benefit the church, that more might be saved. This leads to the fourth point.

Fourth, the ascended Jesus has been given all power and authority over every aspect of the created universe. All powers and authorities, all angels and demons, all human strength and power, have been placed under this feet. He is Lord over all. Nothing in the universe can make a move unless Jesus permits it. Peter writes, “[Jesus] has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Peter 3:22). And Paul proclaims that God sat Christ at his right hand, “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:21-22).

Talk about having a Friend in high places! The Lord of the universe controls all things so that ultimately everything in the created order must benefit Christians. Remember this the next time the world, or your life, seems to be spinning out of control. The ascended Christ has everything, and I mean everything under control, for your good. Amen!

May 2005