Monday, May 9, 2016
1 John 3:8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
WHY DID JESUS ASCEND INTO HEAVEN? HE HAD COMPLETED THE WORK OF SALVATION
God's plans to save us were made in eternity and when the timing was right, God sent forth His Son to complete His gracious plan. Jesus, fully God also became fully man, the only perfect sinless man since the creation of Adam. Jesus lived a sinless life as the God appointed substitute for all men.
It was God's love that put the twist in God's plan. He also determined that His Son should step in and be punished for our sins. On the cross Jesus was punished for all men, not merely by an excruciating death, but by being forsaken by the Father for our sins. He died and was buried.
On the third day He arose, confirming that God's plans had been accomplished and our salvation won. Jesus spoke of His ascension already that first Easter morning to Mary Magdalene (John 20:17):
Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"
Jesus ascended into heaven because He had completed the work the Father sent Him to do. He returned to His rightful place, the place from whence He had come. The Apostle Peter said on Pentecost (Acts 2:32-36):
"This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.' Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
So Jesus would not have returned to heaven had He not completed the work of our salvation. The fact that Jesus has ascended proves to us that He is both LORD and Christ.
