Let us look at three Questions about the Ascension
- What is the ascension?
We are told that for 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus interacted with His followers. He spoke, ate, slept, encouraged, instructed, and essentially did all that He had done during his three and a half years with them.
Now, just minutes before He ascends to heaven, the disciples have questions for their Master.
Acts 1:6-7 says, “So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.”
Jesus redirects their focus from things that do not matter to God’s plan.
Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus’ last words on earth are about the promise of the Holy Spirit. Then, Jesus ascends into the clouds. The ascension was public, gradual, and literal. It would have been seen by all.
The ascension gives credibility to Christ. It needed to take place so that we could receive the Holy Spirit.
John 16:7 says, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
The ascension gives us a historic reminder that His return will be a literal bodily return.
- What happened to Jesus once he returned to Heaven?
After the ascension, the Father placed Jesus on His royal throne, in His rightful place. The Father’s act of receiving His Son into heaven was his expression of final approval for Christ’s redemptive mission.
Ephesians 1:20-23 says, “He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens — far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.”
The Kingdom of God is a future era on earth when Jesus will return to rule His creation during the Millennial kingdom. In the meantime, Jesus rules from Heaven. His perceptive will is done on earth to the extent that you have enthroned Him in your lives as King.
- What is Jesus doing today?
Hebrews 10:12 says, “Having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time.”
Although Christ’s earthly mission of redemption is complete, His heavenly ministry demonstrates that His involvement with man continues.
Hebrews 4:14-16, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens — Jesus the Son of God — let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”
The writer of Hebrews informs us that Jesus is presently at work in several ways on behalf of those who believe. He ministers as our high priest and mediator, as our sovereign Lord and Master, and as our companion and friend.
Pastor Chris Williams
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