The throne of God.
What are some of the most galvanized Bible accounts that you like to lean into when life is in rebellion? One of my mentors, a WELS pastor, who was also a member of Mount Olive, said his favorite biblical event after the Resurrection was from Acts 1 - the Ascension. He said that the Ascension gave him a deep confidence and a calm resolve to stand in whatever trial that surfaced. Let’s explore why the Ascension of Jesus can also give us rest and security.
As we continue our Bible Challenge, you have had a chance to experience new and fresh Biblical events as well as reviewing some well-remembered Bible History. WHat a blessing! This episode in Acts 1 from the final minutes of Jesus’ ministry is written by Luke to give us great comfort and encouragement to live each day with grand composure.
Luke says that Jesus began something but then ascended. “I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1). It should strike us that Jesus began this effort and now the whole book of Acts builds on what he began; almost as if the book of Acts is a way of explaining how things work out when Jesus puts something into motion. Even though he ascended in this first chapter, his real life-changing work took place in his earthly absence. In other words, he left in order to get this VIP work of saving hearts and lives going.
The Apostle’s Creed says it this way: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.” Jesus spent forty days on earth after his resurrection and then returned to heaven as the Crowned King, sitting on the throne of Heaven. Some other passages help us frame out the reality of Jesus’ Kingship: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21). “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (Isaiah 66:1).
What does this matter and how will you and we benefit from this understanding?
To answer that, I’m paraphrasing what my mentor once said. Whenever anything wants to make an appearance in your life and my life, it must first get permission from Jesus. Because Jesus is on the throne in heaven, that position of universal power and control, nothing will ever happen unless Jesus gives the “OK.” Jesus will not allow one thing to happen to us, whether it is a hangnail or cancer, a skinned knee or a promotion, a bloody war or a traumatic encounter in the ER - none of it can happen unless the King of Eternity lets it happen. Our personal Savior Jesus did not stop his work when he died, rose from the dead and ascended. His work is ongoing. AND he will not let anything happen in our life that does not bring us closer to him. He’s the King for a reason. No one else-no other human-can know all that needs to be known in order to make such sweeping decisions for us like Jesus can.
He is in the perfect place to bring us to a better place. His role in heaven is for the good of all who believe in him (and those who do not yet believe). What great comfort that is for us!
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:1-11).