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Jesus ascended for us

Subhead
Built on a Rock
By
Pastor Andrew Palmquist, Bethany Lutheran Church, Luverne

May 26 is a special day for Christians — it’s the Ascension of our Lord!
This major festival in the Christian church year always falls on a Thursday because Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after his resurrection. This marvelous event connects together the past, present and future work of Christ. Because it does, Jesus’ ascension has great importance for you and me.
Please read Ephesians 1:17-23: “I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully... that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe …”
First, the past work of Christ. Paul refers to it when he talks about God’s mighty strength that he “worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead.” This reference to the death of Christ, his past work which he completed on the cross, is the basis for everything that follows: Jesus’ resurrection, his ascension, his being seated at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again. There can be no present or future work of Christ without his past work of suffering and dying on the cross as its foundation.
Because of Jesus, we have redemption through his blood and forgiveness. He also made peace and reconciled us to God through the cross. So Christ who ascends into heaven is the same Jesus who lived a perfect life in our place, and then suffered and died on the cross. His saving work takes care of your past and mine, all of our sins paid for and cleansed by the holy blood of Jesus. By his finished work, we are freed from the record of our sins, and our conscience is at peace. This same Jesus is the one whom God raised from the dead and seated at his right hand. Christ’s ascension, his rising up into heaven and removing his visible presence from his disciples, confirms his completed work on the cross. The Father puts his stamp of approval on what the Son accomplished by exalting Christ in his glorious ascension and seating him with honor.
The ascension of Jesus also points to his future work. Paul refers to this when he speaks of Christ’s rule and authority “not only in this age but also in the one to come.” That time will commence when Jesus returns in glory on the last day. Recall that the angels at the ascension were very definite about this second coming. In Acts 1:11 they told the eyewitnesses: “This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
And Paul speaks about our future in that age to come. He says he wants us to know “… the hope to which he has called you, just how rich His glorious inheritance among the saints is.” That’s our future! An inheritance is something that is yours, and will be realized at a future time. You and I have title to that glorious inheritance. It is kept safe for you in heaven. No one can take it away from you.
All who believe in Jesus are rightful heirs. You and I, baptized children of God through Christ, are co-heirs with him. Thus what Christ receives, we also receive! As Jesus was raised from the dead, so too will we rise. Jesus was lifted up into heaven, and so we who trust in him likewise will be lifted up into heaven. Yes, the ascension shows us our future, and it is glorious!
Now maybe we wonder, what is Christ doing now before his second coming? Paul tells us that God seated Christ “… at his right hand in the heavenly places ... and placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church.” God has highly exalted our Lord and given him great power. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me,” the risen Christ declared. He truly is King of kings and Lord of lords! So we can realize that Jesus now is ruling all things for the benefit of his church. The rise and fall of nations, all the tumultuous events that play out in our world, the whole course of human history – all of it is under Christ’s control. Jesus is ruling all things so the church can carry out her mission of spreading the gospel. For the good of his people, including you and me, whom he loves and cares for deeply – this is how Jesus is exercising his authority right now.
At times it may look like the world is spinning out of control. It may seem like your life is, too – health problems, financial challenges, family relationship issues. Things don’t always look so good for the church either. But rest assured, Jesus is still in charge. He is governing all things for the good of his believers. He gives you the strength to endure to the end.
The Lord also is working on the hearts of many people with his powerful Word, gathering them into His church and nurturing with the Gospel.
Let this great ongoing work of Christ fill you with hope. May this Good News encourage you as you pause on Thursday, rejoice and thank the Lord for his ascension for you!

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