by Brian Tabb
Academic Dean, Bethlehem College & Seminary

Have you marked your calendar for Ascension Day? How many of us have even heard of Ascension Day? Or perhaps just a sermon about Jesus’ ascension into heaven? It is impossible to overstate the importance of Good Friday, when Jesus died for our sins, and Easter Sunday, when he was raised from the dead — but Jesus’ earthly ministry did not stop there.

After the resurrection, Jesus taught his disciples about God’s kingdom for forty days (Acts 1:3) and then he was “taken up” to heaven (Acts 1:2, 11). The cross and empty tomb are at the very heart of the gospel message proclaimed by Jesus’ followers throughout history (see 1 Corinthians 15:1–4). However, for many evangelical Christians and churches, Jesus’s ascension is simply an afterthought to Easter and Good Friday.

Here I want to highlight six aspects of Jesus’ ascension or exaltation, in hopes that this significant and climactic event in Jesus’ life will no longer be an afterthought for you.

1. Jesus continues to work after the ascension.

In Acts 1:1–2 we read, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up...” The small but important word began signals that Jesus’ ascension does not mark the cessation but the continuation of his work as Lord and Messiah. That’s what Luke’s second book is all about, the “Acts of the risen Lord Jesus,” which he works from heaven, through his people, by the Holy Spirit, for the accomplishment of God’s purposes.1

2. The ascended Lord Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to his people.

After his resurrection Jesus told his followers, “I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).2 In his Pentecost sermon Peter explains, “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:33). God promised in Joel 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,” and this promise is fulfilled by the exalted heavenly Lord Jesus. The ascended Lord sent the Spirit to be present with his people (John 14:16), to empower them for worldwide mission (Acts 1:8; 4:31), and to transform believers to live new lives reflecting their king (Romans 8:9–11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

3. Jesus’ ascension is his heavenly enthronement as King.

At Jesus’ ascension he is installed as the true king of the world. According to the Apostles’ Creed, he “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” Jesus is taken up to heaven in a cloud (Acts 1:9–11), and Stephen declares that he sees the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). These texts suggest that Jesus’ ascension fulfills the important prophecy of Daniel 7:13–14:3

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Jesus’ kingdom cannot be destroyed and will not pass away! According to Revelation 3:21 Jesus conquered and sat down with his Father on his throne, where he receives unending praise (Revelation 5:6–13). Jesus will reign at God’s right hand until all enemies are subdued under his feet (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34–35; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:13). Thus God’s kingdom has been inaugurated through the enthronement of Jesus, who now sits on heaven’s throne and will return to consummate his kingdom on earth as in heaven.

4. Jesus’ ascension is his return to his Father.

Before and after his death and resurrection Jesus declares that he was sent by his Father and must return to his Father:

I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father. (John 16:28; cf. 13:1, 3)

Jesus said to Mary, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17)

There has been no sweeter reunion in the history of the world than Jesus’ return to his Father! Perhaps the closest analogy is a courageous, wounded soldier returning to his loved ones after a hard-fought victory. Jesus fully accomplished his mission and glorified the Father on earth, and at Jesus’ ascension the Father glorifies the Son in heaven (John 17:4–5). Take heart that Jesus’ homecoming to his Father prepares the way for our homecoming to be with Jesus forever (John 14:2–4).

5. The ascended Lord Jesus is our heavenly mediator and high priest.

Jesus is the unique mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). His death and resurrection secure our forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation with God (Romans 4:25–5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21). Note also that the exalted Lord Jesus is now in heaven interceding for his people as our true high priest and advocate (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 1:3; 7:25; 8:1; 1 John 2:1). During his earthly ministry Jesus’ work was geographically limited — he didn’t teach in Ethiopia while healing in China. But now he is at work everywhere and able to hear and respond to his people’s prayers no matter the time or place. He sympathizes with our struggles and promises to do whatever we ask in his name (John 14:13–14; Hebrews 4:15–16).

6. The ascended Lord Jesus will return as King and Judge.

In Acts 1:11 two angels explain to the disciples, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Jesus’ heavenly reign will one day be fully realized on earth (Revelation 11:15; 19:10–16; 22:3). This is the very thing we ask for when we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). At his return, the Lord Jesus will execute divine judgment, vindicating his downtrodden people and judging his enemies.4

What It Means for Our Lives

To sum up: Though often overlooked, the ascension completes Jesus’ earthly mission and signifies his enthronement as heavenly king. Jesus has completed his Father’s mission and he now rules with all authority and intercedes with all sympathy as our mediator and high priest. I close with four implications of Jesus’ ascension for our lives.

Remember that Jesus is presently reigning as king and remains active and engaged in our world and our lives.

Therefore live boldly, confidently, and strategically as servants of the exalted king of heaven. Know that your labors in the Lord Jesus are not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Sufferers, take heart that Jesus is not indifferent to your struggle. He has endured great suffering and is thus the most merciful and sympathetic counselor and mediator. Take your cares to your ascended Lord who hears your prayers and can respond with all heaven’s authority.

Finally hope in a glorious future. The ascended Lord will return as judge and king. He will abolish injustice, end suffering, and destroy death and set up his kingdom of truth, righteousness and love. Best of all, we will be with our king forever.

References:

1. See Alan J. Thompson, The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke’s Account of God's Unfolding Plan (NSBT 27; Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2011), 48–50.

2. See also John 15:26; 16:7; Acts 1:5, 8.

3. See also Mark 14:62; Revelation 1:13; 11:15.

4. See Matthew 25:31–36; John 5:27; Acts 17:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10; Revelation 22:12.

About The Author:

Brian Tabb is academic dean and associate professor of biblical studies at Bethlehem College & Seminary, an elder of Bethlehem Baptist Church, and editor of Themelios.

by Jeff Robinson

When we speak of the finished work of Christ on the cross, typically we focus on his substitutionary atonement and resurrection from the dead. Indeed, these works are at the heart of the work of redemption. But what about the event that occurred 40 days after Jesus came out of the tomb—the ascension? How important is this doctrine for our salvation? Does it have practical implications? Do we give it short shrift when it comes to fully teasing out the work of Christ?

In 'Encounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life’s Biggest Questions' (Dutton), Tim Keller argues forcefully that the ascension is a crucial, if often overlooked, aspect of the work of Christ. “Actually, it makes an enormous difference,” Keller writes. “The ascension, when understood, becomes an irreplaceable, important resource for living our lives in the world—and it’s a resource no other religion or philosophy of life holds out to us.”

Keller offers two theological reasons for the necessity of the ascension.

First, Jesus, as the unique God-man—fully human and fully divine—was going to take his place as the new king and head of the human race. Keller explains:

Now, if Jesus merely wanted to return to the Father, he could have just vanished. There were other times when he vanished immediately out of sight, as with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. But instead, at the ascension Jesus literally rises up into the clouds and disappears into the distance of the heavens. Why did he do it that way? We can only speculate, but it may have been for the same reason that we have a coronation ceremony.

Second, in the ascension Jesus left the limitations of the time-space continuum and passed into the presence of the Father. In his incarnation, Jesus was limited to one spot at one moment. If you wanted to speak with him or relate to him, you had to do it at that place. “But at the ascension,” Keller writes, “Jesus leaves the space-time continuum and passes into the presence of the Father. He is still human, still our second Adam . . . and still our Advocate—yet now he has been so glorified that everything he does has a cosmic scope . . . any time-space limitation passes away.”

Further, thanks to the ascension, Jesus is now engaged in his mediatorial work for his people across the globe.

Thus, the ascension is a critically important doctrine, one that is not a mere abstract teaching, one that has important implications for how we live. Keller traces out three vital implications of the ascension for Christian living:

1. The ascended Christ is available for loving communication and fellowship. He is supremely personal.

2. The ascended Christ is supremely powerful. As the ascended king, he is sovereign over every part of the created order. Keller argues: “He controls all things for the church, and therefore you can face the world with peace in your heart . . . he’s at the right hand of God as the executive director of history, directing everything for the benefit of the church. If you belong to him, then everything that happens ultimately happens for you.”

3. The ascended Christ guarantees that you can know you are forgiven, accepted, and delighted in by God the Father. He is our advocate who intercedes constantly for us. Keller explains: “So when the Bible says that Jesus stands as our advocate and representative before the throne of the universe, it is a way to say that he is ascended and not just levitated. It doesn’t matter what you have been or what you have done. It doesn’t matter how flawed and foolish you are. When the eyes of God the Father look at you, they see the ascended Jesus; when they listen to you, they hear him. When God looks and listens to you, he sees and hears infinite beauty . . . He sees Jesus not sitting at the right hand but standing on his behalf, advocating for him.”

As the great creed has reminded Christians across the ages, “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from where he will return to judge the living and the dead.” Jesus went up and back into heaven, but will one day return as our conquering king.

This is the reality of which he spoke when he addressed the bewildered disciples in John 14, “And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” Thus, the Christian’s great and blessed hope, the hope of the resurrection of the dead and eternal life in the new Jerusalem, is intimately tied to Christ’s first going up. Calvin, in his Institutes, summarized the good news of the ascension in his customarily pithy style:

The Lord, by his ascension into heaven, has opened up the access to the heavenly kingdom, which Adam had shut. For having entered it in our flesh, as it were in our name, it follows . . . that we are in a manner seated in heavenly places, not entertaining a mere hope of heaven, but possessing it in our [covenantal] head.

About The Author:

Jeff Robinson (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is a senior editor for The Gospel Coalition. A native of Blairsville, Georgia, he also pastors Christ Fellowship Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and serves as senior research and teaching associate for the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies and adjunct professor of church history at Southern Seminary. Prior to entering ministry, he spent nearly 20 years as a newspaper journalist in Georgia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. He is co-author To the Ends of the Earth: Calvin’s Mission Vision and Legacy and co-editor of 15 Things Seminary Couldn’t Teach Me (Crossway, 2018).

by Ralph Bouma

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are (John 17:11).

Our text speaks of Christ's glorious ascension as His final victory over death, Satan and sin and His intercessory prayer for the security of His own as He leaves this world to prepare a place for them in oneness with His Father.

The mission Christ came to fulfill was the full restoration of the blessed harmony that was lost in man's shameful fall. This was accomplished by the ascension of the Captain of our Salvation as set forth in our text. We see the compassionate heart of our Saviour even as He ascends up into heaven. He has not forsaken or forgotten those He came to redeem. He prayed that the Father would "keep through thine own name those thou hast given me" that that harmony might be restored.

This restoration of harmony that comes to fruition in our ascension-"that they may be one, as we are"-not only pertains to unity of the Spirit among themselves, but restoration into oneness with the Father and Himself as we see from John 17:21: "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." It is so important that we have harmony among the believers, that we not have schisms in the body so that the world might believe.

The compelling nature of the intercessory prayer in our text finds its force in the Holy Father to whom the prayer is made. Jesus comes to Him as a matter of right. He comes to plead His own atoning work. His justice demands our acquittal because our penalty has been satisfied. The authority vested in the title of the Benefactor is suited to the promise. We read in Romans 15:13: "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." There is a joy and peace in believing. There is authority in the God of hope. The title of God has authority in it. When Jesus says, "Holy Father," He is speaking to the Creator of the heavens and earth.

The whole request of our ascending Saviour in our text was for preserving us from evil and the perfection of the harmony He came to restore. Salvation lays in being saved from evil, and the restoration of the harmony that was lost in paradise.

Even as Hezekiah was commanded, "Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live" (Isaiah 38:1), so our text teaches how Christ set His house in order before He left this world.

Our Saviour had not only finished the work His Father gave Him to do in the atonement but also in giving sufficient instructions to His church about serving in His kingdom. Though He had done this throughout His ministry, He spent 40 days after His ascension giving His church instructions. We read in Acts 1:3: "To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." He was teaching His people to serve in His kingdom with a unity and oneness of spirit. He opened their understanding that they might know the Word and will of God.

The place of Christ's departure from this world upon the Mount of Olives is most significant (Acts 1:12). Was it not the very place He went to suffer His Father's wrath and displeasure upon our sin and to surrender Himself to be crucified? We read in Luke 22:39-44: "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."***are you saying that He was crucified on the Mount of Olives? I've never heard that mentioned as a place of the crucifixion.***

Even as the mount where our Saviour's shame and torments began became His stepping stone to the crown, so also those who follow their Saviour in the way of the cross find the way to glory is through their Mount of Olives of pain and sorrow. The Lord does not take us from the pleasures of this world to heaven. He purges us and cleanses us. We read in Luke 22:28-30: "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." He is saying that they are the ones who have followed Him in the way of the cross, in the way of the crucifixion of the flesh. As we follow Him in His temptation and fellowship in His suffering we also have our place in our ascent to the crown.

In Hebrews 2:10-11 we read: "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren."

Jesus was made perfect through suffering. You and I will be made perfect through suffering. Our Mount of Olives will be our place of ascension as well. Through suffering with Christ we will also reign with Christ.

Even as those whom the Father has given His Son find their passage into glory is from the cross to the crown so also wicked men who live in deliberate sin find that the place of their sin is also the place of vengeance. We read in 1 Kings 21:18-19: "Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine."

Blessing His church was the last act of our Saviour before He departed to be seated at the right Hand of His Father to intercede for us. Luke 24:50-51 says: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Notice the nature of that blessing. In verses 36 to 39 we read that when He blessed them He lifted up His hands: "And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." In His hands are His scars and their names are written in them. He did this to take away all their doubts, fears and troubles. This is such a blessed consolation for you and me to see that the last act He performed on this earth was to lift up His hands and bless His people.

The Father's purpose in sending His Son, raising Him from the dead and receiving Him as our Intercessor at His own right hand is recorded in Acts 3:25-26: "Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." That blessing rests on us as we see our names written in the palms of His hands. It rests not just in saving us from hell but in turning us from our iniquities. What would have more power than the love of Christ that would constrain us as we see His pierced hands as He lifts them up to bless us? What makes sin more sinful and grievous than a view of the love of Christ? Only a faith view of the love of Christ will ever turn us away from our iniquities. It constrains us. It moves on us irresistibly. It make sin become so abominable.

We cannot truly believe what a blessing this is until we understand it by experience, such as when we see our own children and grandchildren born under the power of sin and us pleading for the Lord to bless them in turning their hearts from their iniquity.

Our Saviour ascended not only to prepare a place for us, but also to prepare us for our place in glory. That is why we must be turned from our iniquity and be made fit in character. We see what our blessed Lord prayed in His intercessory prayer in John 17:14-17: "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

In His ascension Christ entered heaven as a Conqueror having gained the victory over all His and His Church's enemies. In Ephesians 4:7-8 we read: "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." He led captive Satan and all the power of sin. He was tempted in all points like as we are. He knows the power of sin. He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

It was expedient for our Lord to leave this world and go unto His Father that the hearts of those who love His appearing might be lifted above an earthly realm. As long as He was in the world His disciples were still looking for an earthly king. Notice what we read in Ephesians 2:4-7: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

We see the kindness of God through Jesus turning us from our iniquities, delivering us from the tyranny and service of sin, lifting our hearts above the things of this world. The higher we rise the smaller things seem below, so it is when our hearts are raised "together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," worldly glory fades from our view. That is what we read in Philippians 3:20-21: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." How often is our conversation in heaven? How often do we find someone to visit with whose conversation is in heaven? ***Comment from Strong's Concordance on the word "conversation.": Generally the goings out and in of social intercourse #Eph 2:3 4:22 R.V., "manner of life"; one's deportment or course of life. This word is never used in Scripture in the sense of verbal communication from one to another #Ps 50:23 Heb 13:5 In #Php 1:27 3:20 a different Greek word is used. It there means one's relations to a community as a citizen, i.e., citizenship.***

All things of the flesh will be subdued unto Him. Our hearts will never be filled will the things of this life. Our hearts can no longer rest in the things of this world. The higher we rise in Christ Jesus, the smaller these things become.

When we come to ourselves, our hearts are delivered from the husks of the swine as happened with the prodigal son. Colossians 3:1-4 says: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." This is what we have in an ascended Saviour seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us. Christ's mission was and is the welfare of the household of faith, to draw our hearts above the things of this life.

Wherein is the glory of Christ Jesus made so manifest but in the gift of Himself for our redemption? Look at Isaiah 63:1-2: "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?" This is speaking of His apparel as He is seated in heaven as we see in Revelation 19, where His garments are dyed red. He is glorified in His garments dyed red in the treading of the winepress alone, those garments dyed red in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was sweating blood.

Such are the expressions of praise our ascended Lord receives from His bride, and see how He is welcomed into glory by His Father as His assurance that the Father has accepted all as finished. We read in Psalm 110:1-3: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth." His people will be made willing. He will be seated on the throne of our hearts. He did not take His place at the right hand of the Father on His own. That was given to Him by the Father. He is at His Father's right hand to rule. His people are redeemed from their iniquities. They will be made willing to serve in the beauties of holiness. Holiness becomes so beautiful, and sin becomes so abominable.

When statesmen are advanced to their throne it is most common that they forget their former acquaintances of low degree, but our Lord not only left to go to His Father but there to intercede as High Priest to present our cause before His Father. We read in 1 John 2:1-2: "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." He did not go there to forget us. He went there to intercede for us. The more we learn to hate sin, the more we realize how sinful we are. We realize that certain things are sin that we never realized before. When we come to realize the nature of our character and of our sin, then we have an Advocate with the Father. We can still come before the courts of heaven because Jesus presents His own atonement before the Father.

Having such a High Priest who has entered into the heavens as our Advocate with the Father, we have no need to fear our infernal foe or any of his accusations before the throne of God. Hebrews 10:19- 20 says: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh." He came in the flesh to remove the veil that stands between us and God. He came to rend that veil so we can enter into the Holy of Holies by the rending of His own flesh.

To try men's obedience there must be a veil. The sin of the heart would not become revealed if Christ is revealed in His full pomp and Majesty. Because He was veiled in the flesh we read in John 1:10-11: "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not."

If Christ should have remained in this world in His glorious Majesty, we would have never known the nature of our own heart. We would have never known what we needed to be redeemed of. We would have had no trial or proof of faith, therefore, He still veils His glory under the ministry of men as the apostle affirmed in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Our Lord has chosen us to be saved by faith, and that faith shall be tried. We read in Isaiah 48:10: "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Through suffering our Saviour was made perfect. Through suffering we will have the dross removed and the Refiner will be able to see the reflection of His own character in us.

This furnace is for our purification from all our rebellion. It is the trial of our obedience of faith. We read in 1 Peter 1:7: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."

By veiling His glorious offices of Prophet, Priest and King behind the veil of human ministers "we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). He does not want us to claim following a man. He wants us to follow Christ.

As we walk by faith our eye is removed from the weak and beggarly elements of this world, and we are raised into heavenly places with Christ Jesus. It is the preparation to be able to be raised above the things of this life that we are raised with the Lord Jesus Christ into heavenly places. Notice what we see in 1 Peter 1:8-9: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end [object] of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

Our Saviour's departure from this world made way for Spiritual comfort. We see this in John 16:7: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

Even in His bodily absence we are not left without comfort as we see in John 14:16-18: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." The world walks by sight. Since they cannot see Him visibly in the flesh they cannot receive Him. The working of the Holy Spirit would be hindered by us being able to see Him. He is to be worshiped in spirit and in truth.

Even though our Saviour said in our text, "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee," He has not left us without comfort. We read in Matthew 28:18-20: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Even though He has ascended, He has not forsaken His church.

Christ ascended into heaven in our human nature, but left His Spirit, which is our down payment or assurance of our glory. We read in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22: "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." The impression of Christ is sealed on our hearts. The Spirit of Christ is the earnest or down payment of our salvation.

by Keith Whitfield

Sunday night, I was teaching from The Gospel Project in our Life Group. I found this section on why Jesus' ascension matters, to be really helpful.

For Luke, the ascension was a significant moment in the disciples' personal transformation and the advance of the gospel through the church. He emphasized the importance of the ascension by ending his Gospel with this event and beginning his second volume, Acts, with it.

The ascension had a profound impact on the disciples. Up to the moment that Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples seemed to be puzzled, trying to figure it all out. But after the ascension, they worshiped Him. They traveled back to Jerusalem with great joy. They maintained a regular presence in the temple—worshiping God.

At first, the disciples' reaction to Jesus' ascension may catch us off guard. Jesus had just "left them." And yet they were happy—filled with joy. Why this reaction? After all, when Jesus told them at the end of John 13 that He would soon leave them, they were deeply disturbed.

Thus, He encouraged them by teaching them about the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14–17). He kept them from the brink of utter despair by saying, "You are not losing Me, but I am going to be with you in a different way through My Spirit."

The ascension of Jesus produced joy because the disciples realized what amazing benefits would come to them when Jesus returned to the Father. When Jesus ascended, all the promises regarding the Spirit's ministry to the disciples were about to be fulfilled. The disciples accepted His ascension, for they had accepted Jesus' word about the promised One to come. Their doubts and fears were gone. They were convinced of who He was. They knew that He died to forgive them of their sins. They knew He was alive from the dead. In His resurrection, they had hope in victory over death.

They trusted Him. For these reasons, Jesus' departure gave the disciples joy.

The benefits of the ascension are many:

1. When Jesus ascended and sat down at the Father's right hand, the Father verified the accomplishment of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and confirmed that the final payment for sin had been made (Heb. 10:11-14).
2. When Jesus ascended, the intercessory work of Jesus on behalf of His people began. In this ministry, we are assured that we will always have access to the Father forever (1 John 2:1).
3. When Jesus ascended, His eternal reign over all enemies began. As Peter wrote, "Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God's right hand with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him" (1 Pet. 3:22).
4. Finally, when Jesus ascended, the church was empowered to accomplish its mission. In Ephesians 1:22-23, writing about Jesus' resurrection and ascension, Paul said, "[God the Father] put 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."

Jesus Christ is the King of the universe, and Satan can do nothing about it. What Satan can do is tempt us to forget about Jesus as King. He uses a thousand tricks to do it, but he is after one thing—to eclipse our present awareness of who Jesus is and where He is. In the Book of Acts, Stephen, right before being stoned, looked up into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. The New Testament points us to this picture so that we will have a settled confidence that Jesus our Savior is the King over all things.

Joy, hope, and mission are three consistent responses of the disciples to Christ's resurrection and ascension. In light of these two great events, we see the disciples transformed and mobilized to follow Jesus on His mission.

We go forward with hope and joy because the King of the universe promises that He will never leave or forsake us. If we want to experience greater transformation and the joy of following Jesus on mission, we should build our confidence on the finished and sufficient work of Jesus Christ. The resurrection and ascension testify to the completion and perfection of His work.

Excerpted from: The Gospel Project for Adults - God's Story Part 2

About the author:

Keith Whitfield teaches Christian Theology at Southeastern Seminary. Before joining the faculty at Southeastern, he spent two years teaching and training church planters in Nashville, Tennessee, and five years as a pastor in southeast Virginia.

by Timothy W. Massaro

An often-overlooked aspect of Christ’s work is the period after the Resurrection—what the church has called the Ascension. The Ascension is the specific rise of the Lord Jesus to the throne of authority at the right hand of God (Luke 24:13–51).

The church has all but forgotten this important day in redemptive history. Part of the reason it gets little attention is due to the fact we don't really know why it was so essential to our salvation. As wonderful as the death and resurrection of Jesus are, our salvation would not be complete without the Ascension. The Bible itself says that this new reality is the anchor of our hope.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 6:19-20).

The ascension is an image from the ancient world’s royal ceremonies. The new king would enter the throne room, the inner sanctum, in a spectacular procession. He began his session at the royal court by giving gifts and appointing governors over the realm. This language and imagery is the backdrop for much of the Bible. But why was it necessary for this to happen? What did it fulfill? Why is this the anchor of the soul?

1. The Ascension brings creation to its fulfillment.

Jesus had to fulfill all that the Father called him to accomplish. God brought humans into the world to form and shape the earth into a perfect image of heaven (Ps. 24; 68). God’s will was to be done on earth as it was in heaven, like a sea of crystal reflecting the shining sun above. This perfection is initiated by Christ. Christ brings the world into an undimmed glory that humans should have had, even though man chose his own glory above obeying God.

Christ fulfilled all that Adam failed to do and brought a perfect sacrifice of obedience into God's holy presence so that the glory we fell from could break into the world (Rom. 3:23) Our flesh is in heaven and will bring that glory to earth at his return. This reality promised by God fulfills the great Psalm of Ascent, Psalm 24.

2. The Ascension moves Christ’s work from one of humiliation to exaltation.

Christ’s rule as king begins with his suffering on our behalf. Most kings send their servants to die for them in battle, but not so with Jesus. He is a different kind of king who shows his rule by dying, by sacrificial love. This was necessary for him to accomplish all righteousness and enter this glory that was once promised to us (Luke 24:26–27). Christ went further into the depths of death than anyone had. His valley of tears was the lowest of all who have ever lived in order that he might save the lowliest sinner.

His complete descent into the clutches of the devil was for us. Our redemption from the slave market of sin was now possible (Eph. 4:9–10). Someone free and innocent had to suffer for the condemned. Someone had to enter Satan’s house of bondage and slavery to redeem the captives (Luke 4:16–21). This was Jesus.

Little did the enemies of God know that killing him would undo their power and destroy their hold on the world through the fear of death (1 Cor. 2:6–10; Heb. 2:14–18). Through Christ’s humiliation, all of God’s people would be included in his exaltation at God’s right hand (Eph. 1:3-14) giving them the status of justified heirs, sons and daughters of the king. Jesus is now exalted to the right hand of God and given the name above every name because of his humility (Phil. 2:1-11). He is now worthy of all praise as the "Lamb that was slain" (Rev. 5:8-14).

3. The Ascension was necessary for the giving of the Holy Spirit.

Christ ascended on high as the risen Lord with us in his procession train (Eph. 4:1–16). After being raised from the dead and ascending to his throne, Jesus poured his Spirit out to the church and gave gifts of victory to the saints (Eph. 4:8). He unites us to himself so we too might follow him into glory by his grace (Acts 1:1–11; see also Matt. 24–25 and John 14–16).

With the Ascension of Christ, a new reality has burst forth into the universe—a redemption of cosmic proportions! As fully man, he has entered the Holy of Holies, in the highest heavens above every rule and authority. He went to the depths so he might ascend to the highest heavens and spread the light of God’s redemption everywhere and bring us into that glory. We are now seated with him by faith, united by his Spirit. He showers this salvation upon us as a sign of the glory to come (Eph. 1:3–14 and 4:7–10). The God-man is now present in the Holy of Holies as the anchor of hope for our souls (Heb. 6:19-20).

4. The Ascension gives us direct access to God.

In earlier ages, sinful men and women could not have direct access to God. The old forms of worship could never cleanse the conscience of believers or offer direct access to God. The world lay under the bondage of its wage-master the devil, who controlled the world through the fear of death (Rom 6:23; Heb. 2:14–18). Someone had to die to undo death’s grip once and for all—that was Jesus.

Jesus rose from the depths of our sin and death. The grave could not hold the innocent Son of God (Acts 2:24). Ascending on high, Jesus reigns at the Father’s right hand. There he continues to serve his Father for the good of his people as the heavenly hosts sing his praise, where he daily makes intercession for us (Rev. 12:10). Because we have a human representative in heaven, the throne of grace is our inheritance and privilege that we can enter:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).

5. The Ascension removes the devil from God’s courtroom.

With the Ascension, the devil has been thrown from his place in the courtroom of heaven. This adversary can no longer accuse us as justly condemnable because of Jesus (Zech. 3; 1 John 2:1; Rom. 8:34–37). The great Accuser has been silenced. He cannot use the Law of Moses to condemn. The verdict of "justified" has been declared in God's heavenly courtroom.

As heirs of the heavenly kingdom of God, we finally have an advocate with the Father who hears our prayers. We have access to the throne room of God through Jesus (Heb. 4:16). Raised to immortality, Jesus cannot die and will never cease pleading for us (1 Cor 15). This is the God we have been waiting for.

6. The Ascension breaks the power of this present evil age.

The Ascension strikes at the heart of the way the world worked. The logic of the present evil age (“what goes around comes around” and “an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth”) is upended by grace. Since Jesus lived, died, rose again from the dead, and ascended into heaven, grace and truth have defeated the power of death over humanity (1 Cor. 15:56–57). He has ascended above every power and authority so nothing can ever separate us from his love.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:31-39).

Instead of receiving what we deserve for our cosmic rebellion against God, we have been seated above the rulers of this present evil age (Eph. 1:3–14). We no longer have to fear death or dying in obscurity. We no longer should fear a meaningless life. Grace and truth have met us. Christ’s ascension tells us that grace has the last word (Rev. 22:12–14).

Christ has broken the world-cycle of shame and death. He triumphed over the devil and the rulers of this age, putting them to open shame by showing love to cowards and sinners (Col. 2:6–15). His mercy to those who would kill him stops the mouths of the wicked.

7. The Ascension means sacrificial love is the way of the universe.

Jesus does not defeat death by getting even, by returning evil for evil, violence with violence, shame with shame. No. He removed his glorious crown and descended to undo death by his loving self-sacrifice (Phil. 2:5–11). His death opens the door to new beginnings, to forgiveness, and to freedom from our past actions and shame. Karma is broken. Grace is the way of the universe. Weakness is resurrection-power. Satan’s power over us and in us is torn to pieces by this willing sacrifice of a loving God.

The Ascension allows us to participate in that same love which undoes death. Christ has purified us by his blood, giving us the Spirit. Our suffering and pain in this life are not due to karma or because of God’s displeasure. Rather, our suffering is our glory (Eph. 3:7–13).

As we are united to Christ by faith, our suffering is a participation in undoing death and fear in our lives. We are freed to undo the effects of shame and sin by his power and glory now at work in us. Our lives of grace and humility can give grace to others. Our words have power. Our actions can redeem the time even though the days are evil. Our lives speak of eternity.

The manifold wisdom of God is seen in our weakness (Eph. 3:7–13). His grace is seen in our complete dependence on him. The heavenly gifts continue to flow to us, bringing us from one degree of glory to the next (2 Cor. 5:1–10). Christ has ascended on high and has been given the name above every name. He gives us all the good things that we need for life and godliness. His glory and our good are now the same (Col. 2:6–15; Phil. 2:5–11). Because Jesus has ascended to the right hand of God, we lack no good thing as we wait with eager expectation for his bodily return.

That is the power of the ascended Lord today.

About The Author:

Timothy Massaro has written for Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, and other publications. He oversees the Christian Education ministry at Resurrection PCA in San Diego and serves as a hospice chaplain. He has an affinity for all things J.R.R. Tolkien (except the movies) and has interests in the intersections of philosophy and theology. His biggest prayer is that the gospel in all its beauty might re-kindle a wonder and joy of God’s goodness in our hearts and that our lives might adorn the gospel.