Monday, May 9, 2005
WHY DID JESUS ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?
When a Olympic champion or military hero returns home victorious, he or she is often given a special reception -- a parade or a banquet.
In simple fashion the Bible tells us that when Jesus our victorious Lord ascended into heaven, He sat down at the right hand of God. The writer to the Hebrews was directed to write of Jesus in this way: (Hebrews 1:1-4)
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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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."
Some, when they hear the words 'right hand of God' think of a location, a throne to the right of the Father in heaven. However, when Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father He did not merely seat himself in a chair to wait for the last day. The right hand of God is not a location, but the highest place of honor and glory.
The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Ephesians (1:20-23), described the greatness of Jesus' exalted position given him by the Father.
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He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
As our ascended LORD, exalted to the Highest Position of Honor and Glory Jesus has again taken up the exercise of His divine power and authority --- and He wields it all on our behalf. Jesus ascended to take the highest position and to rule all things for the benefit of His people.
Jesus ascended to take His rightful place at the right hand of God.
