The Ascension to Be Our Great High Priest & Representative
Hebrews 4:14-16
Since then we havea great high priestwho has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a high priestwho is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has beentempted as we are,yet without sin.16 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.
Christ was raised from the dead.
His life, death and resurrection are historical facts corroborated by numerous sources outside of the Bible and was seen by many eyewitnesses. After Christ was raised from the dead he spent 40 days among the people to mainly demonstrate that he was alive. He appeared to various groups of disciples, proving beyond a doubt that he had been raised from the dead by the power of God. The Apostle Paul wrote that “he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living” (1 Corinthians 15:6).
Jesus also stayed on earth to teach His disciples, and prepare them for the task of telling the world about Christ.
“See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have” . . . And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
Then he Ascended!
One day YOU will be able to kneel before him, speak to him, shake his hand, and feel his scars. Think of it!
It is in the ascension that God exalted Jesus and gave Him the name that is above every name (Phil. 2:9)
Hebrews tells us, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God . . . let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” (Heb 4:14-16).
The resurrection was Christ’s triumph over sin and death and the ruler of this world (Satan). The ascension seated Him upon the throne of David (2 Sam.7), the throne that was promised to Jesus by His Father before the world began.
How does Christ’s ascension into heaven benefit us now? Jesus is our advocate before the Father and he is complete humanity in the presence of God; as a result of the ascension, the Son sends the promised Holy Spirit to His people (Pentecost).
We worship and love a man we’ve never seen, Peter wrote to the churches in Asia Minor, “Though you have not seen him, you love him” (1 Peter 1:8. The ascension created the tension that Christians on earth have experienced for almost two millennia: present in the body and absent from the Lord.
It began at Pentecost; the Holy Spirit came to start liberating the nations. Jesus said “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).
It continues to this day in heaven, where Christ “stands in the presence of God on our behalf”. Our eternal redemption was secured—not simply by Jesus dying on the cross—but through Jesus entering heaven by means of the cross.
The profound reality is a human sits on heavens throne.