Every Sunday our church congregation recites the Apostle's Creed that is said to have been constructed by the 12 apostles as a definition of what Christians believe. In particular we state that:
“I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
[he descended to the dead.]
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.”
The ascension of Jesus matters to our belief and understanding for 9 reasons:
1. It completes the will of God after Jesus’ birth. His earthly ministry has ended. Jesus was born to suffer for our sicknesses and diseases, to die for our sins and to be raised again.
2. Jesus returned to His Father from whence He had lived for all eternity (John 1:1-3, 15, 18; 13:1; 17:5, 11, 13, 23).
3. Jesus is now enthroned in heaven (Ps. 110:1; Acts 2:33–34; Eph.1:20; 1 Pet. 3:22)
4. His ascension announces our future (1 Cor. 15:20-22). Jesus is now preparing a place for us (John 14:2).
5. He has been raised by God to oversee the gospel going to ends of earth (Acts 1:8).
6. He is seated at God’s right hand empowering His people with the Holy Spirit to live a Christian life and to have a foretaste of the life to come (Acts 2:33; John 16:7;Luke 24:49; Eph. 4:7-8).
7. To begin His ministry of intercession (Psa. 110:4; 1 Tim. 2/5; Heb.7:25;Heb. 4:14-16; Heb. 9:15).
8. To act as the platform from which He will be the final judge of all mankind (2 Thess. 1/6-9; Phil. 3:20; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:16).
9. Jesus has been super exalted (Phil 2/9; Eph. 1/20) and now has unlimited power.
So what does the ascension of Jesus to heaven mean to you?
It means that Jesus loved you so much that He came to this earth to save you.
It means that Jesus is King, now and forever.
It means that Jesus is high priest and mediator so you can come boldly before the throne of grace.
It means that you can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to help you become more like Jesus.
It means that you have a guarantee that you will be with Jesus forever.
It means that whatever is happening in your world, you can trust Jesus to come again.
It means that you can make the name of Jesus known far and wide.
The resurrection of Jesus means that you are now living in victory – victory over sin and its effects.
Christ is risen! Hallelujah!
Check out this sermon that relates to Jesus in John 5:16-30:
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