Tuesday, June 7, 2011
WHY DID JESUS ASCEND INTO HEAVEN? (2)
When a victorious sports personality or military hero returns home victorious, they are frequently given a special reception. In some cases they are honored with a parade. In some cases a banquet is held and the hero is seated at a prominent position.
The Bible tells us simply 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 Christ: " ... 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."
Perhaps when we hear the words "right hand of God" we imagine a location, a throne to the right of the Father in heaven. 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 merely a location, but the highest place of honor and glory. St. Paul described the greatness of Jesus' exalted position like this (Ephesians 1:20-23): " ... when 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 His power and wields all power on our behalf. So Jesus ascended to take the highest position and to rule all things for the benefit of His people. So, even as He is ascended to heaven, we are called upon to set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-4): "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
