The Final Ascension of Christ

Let's get started. The title of the message today in our study is The Final Ascension of Christ. The final ascension of Christ. I invite you to open your Bibles together. Let's turn to the book of Acts, the book of Acts in chapter 1. Acts 1, where we'll be getting here, is certainly is a familiar passage to us as we prepare for the upcoming Holy Day of Pentecost. Acts chapter 1, we're going to read verses 1 through 12 to set our foundation today. Here in Acts, Luke is our author. He is the one that records this scene that we're about to read. He is a doctor. And as we expect by some doctors, they have a way of paying attention to detail. And certainly the case here, Luke's attention to detail surrounding Christ's final ascension back to his father here. So Acts 1, let's begin in verse 1. Luke writes, The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after he, through the Holy Spirit, had given commandments to the apostles, whom he had chosen, to whom he had presented himself alive, after his suffering, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days, and speaking of things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Verse 4, And being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said, You have heard from me. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said to them, It is not for you to know the time or the seasons in which the Father has put in his own authority, but you shall receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Savaria, and to the end of the earth. Now, when he had spoken these things, while they watched, this is Jesus Christ, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven. Verse 12, Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. Let's stop there. Again, we gathered here today. We're used to dealing with these verses, aren't we, as we prepare for the upcoming observance of the great Holy Day of Pentecost. But that is not true of so many in the world who profess themselves to adhere to biblical teaching. Often, if you encounter a professing Christian on the street, they will know something of the birth of Jesus Christ. Certainly, they will know something of the the death of Jesus Christ. But if you ask them to give you the significance of this scene here of Christ's final ascension back to His Father, there may be very few that would be able to articulate the significance of it.

Because in many ways, the departure of Jesus Christ back into heaven, back to His Father, as described here in Acts 1, it may be arguably one of the least considered aspects of Jesus Christ's ministry. And it may well be that some of us today, we haven't given proper attention, maybe, or recent attention to this whole matter of Christ's final ascension. And if that's the case, we want to shore that up because it is clear that this truth of the ascension, if we don't have the truth of this and the truth surrounding us, we will be incomplete in our understanding. And if we're incomplete in our understanding, then we'll be incomplete, then we could say, in the plan and purposes of God for us. So it's important for us to give ourselves to this matter. Now, it's important to establish here, right at the beginning of our study, that Acts 1, and what is being described here, this is the second ascension. This is the second return of Jesus Christ back to his father since the time of his resurrection. There in verse 9, where it says, Now he had spoken these things, while they watched he was taken up, and a cloud received them out of their sight. This return back to his father actually marked the second ascension back to his father. The second return after his resurrection. Because there was an initial ascension, we know of, back to his father that occurred the day after he was resurrected. Let's see that briefly. Turn with me to John 20, if you will. John 20 in verse 1. Let's see the details surrounding the first ascension of Jesus Christ back to his father. So we can confirm that Acts 1 there was a second ascension since the resurrection. So John chapter 20, we're going to begin in verse 1. And in breaking into the moment here, we're going to see Mary Magdalene had found the tomb empty. So John chapter 20 in verse 1. John 20 verse 1, Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So Jesus, having been raised just before sunset the previous day, we know, Saturday, he had already risen at this point that Mary now comes to the tomb early Sunday while it was still dark. And now going down to verse 11, let's read verse 11 through 18. We want to establish this first ascension here. Verse 11 here, it says, But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. She saw two angels in white, sitting one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had laid. Then they said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. Verse 14. Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? She, Mary, supposing him as the gardener, said to him, Sir, if you've carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him, Rabboni, which is to say, Teacher. Now look at verse 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.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things to her. So stop there. So Mary thought initially that Jesus was the gardener of all things, and then realizing it was him, she wants to embrace him, and she's about to do that. But he says, But wait, wait, dear verse 17, do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to the brethren and tell them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father and my God and your God. So Jesus has to tell her, don't touch me, I have not yet gone to my Father. I have not yet ascended to my Father. And then Matthew, Matthew picks up in his gospel at this point, and Matthew records that later that day Jesus Christ did allow them to touch him and to hold on to him. Let's see that just briefly. Matthew 28, if you'll turn there with me, Matthew 28. Just read a few verses. Matthew 28, verse 5 through 10. So again, we're establishing this initial ascension after he was resurrected. Matthew 28, verse 5 through 10, we see that he's going to pick up here at that moment where we left off. Matthew 28, verse 5.

But the angel answered and said to the woman, Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay, and go quickly and tell the disciples, so just as John recorded, go quickly and tell the disciples that he is risen from the dead, and indeed he is going before you into Galilee. There you will see him. Behold, I have told you, verse 8. So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, Rejoice! So they came and held him by the feet and worshiped him.

Verse 10, and Jesus said, Do not be afraid, and go tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me. So after his resurrection, initially, Jesus said to Mary, Don't hold on to me. Don't touch me. I have not yet ascended to my father. But then, later that same day, he appeared again, and he allowed the women to hold on to him. So between the time that he had saw Mary, and between this time that he allowed them to hold on to him, he had ascended to his father. You see? So it was at that time, the day after his resurrection, in which Christ had the first ascension back to his father. That was the initial return to his father. And, of course, this initial ascension was incredibly significant. Because on that day, it marked the acceptance of his father, acceptance of him as the perfect sacrifice, as the atonement for the sin of all mankind. Jesus Christ was accepted on that day as the first of the first fruits. And, of course, the Old Testament ceremony. We know this. The Old Testament ceremony of waving the first sheep of the grain to be accepted by God. Detailed in Leviticus. We won't take the time to turn there. But Leviticus 23, verses 10 through 14. Leviticus 23, verse 10 through 14. That's what that ceremony, this is what that ceremony pointed to. They were not to eat any of the grain of the harvest until the first sheaf of the harvest was given to the priest. And then he would be waved before God.

So the waving and the offering of the first fruit of the harvest, and then God's acceptance of that, that pictured what was occurring here when Christ was accepted by his father as the first of the first fruit of the harvest of mankind. Incredible. Can't even put into words just how beautiful and magnificent this first initial return was. First initial return back to his father.

But, but, in coming back to Acts chapter 1, and let's turn back there now, Acts chapter 1, in the passage we read, Acts chapter 1, we see that after his acceptance, after his initial ascension, Christ did, in fact, appear, come back, return, and appear before his disciples for a period of some 40 days, it says. That's verse 3 again. Acts 1 verse 3, speaking of Christ, verse 3, Acts 1, to whom he presented himself alive after his suffering by emitting infallible proofs, being seen by them 40 days, during 40 days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. So, Christ returns. And let there be no doubt, this transition period of 40 days where Jesus Christ comes, and he appears before his followers, and appears, makes known that he's alive to his followers. It's incredible. It's wonderful. It's remarkable. Because in doing so, he removed any and all doubts, didn't he? He approves. He returns to instruct his disciples, to prove his identity. He returns to teach them all things concerning the kingdom of God.

Wonderful. So, Christ did not rise from the be resurrected, return to his father for acceptance, and then simply stay by his father's side, did he? No. We could suppose that that could have been in the plan of God. Couldn't it have? I suppose, after all, all of the work of redemption was completed. What was there left for him to do? I suppose there could have been an ushering in of the Holy Spirit after his initial ascension back to the father.

That could have been the plan, I suppose. He had made full atonement. He had been raised in triumph over death. Therefore, why not go directly to the father and stay? Well, I propose to you that this transition of 40 days before his final ascension, this transition, it is a proclamation. It's a proclamation, and it proclaims that of the gracious, loving, elder brother that we have in Jesus Christ. If Jesus had simply risen from the dead, been resurrected, gone to heaven, which he did, accepted by the Father, which he was, but then decided not to come back, you can just imagine all the consequences of that. The Father would have still been in complete disarray. There would have been so many things untied. That's not what he does. Rather, he returns, and he takes the time and the care and the love for 40 days to move amongst his followers, appearing before them, answering their questions, banishing their fears, removing their doubt, preparing them for what it would mean to be absent now, his physical presence. And then and only then would our loving elder brother return back to his Father in the final ascension. And Luke, who's not only the writer here of Acts, but of course he's the writer of his own gospel, he wants to make, he wants to put forth in a particular way to his readers that of the significance of this these 40 days and of this final ascension. And I think he captures it perfectly in just a very short passage in his gospel, this picture of of Christ's ascension and all that it means. And it's in Luke 24. Let's turn there for just a moment, if you will, Luke 24, and see the parallel passage to Acts 1 of Christ's final ascension. So we're going to look at Luke 24 in verse 50 through 53.

This is the parallel passage to Acts 1 in many regards. But let's see how Luke decides to describe Christ's final ascension here in his gospel. I think it's wonderful. Luke 24, let's begin in verse 50 and read through 53. Listen to these words in this description.

And he, Jesus Christ, led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And now it came to pass, while he blessed them, that he was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. Incredible. So you'll notice Luke ends his gospel with Christ's final ascension, and then he picks up his other book, if you will, the book of Acts. It starts off right where he finished off here. But I believe this that you have here at the end of Luke's gospel, it's one of the most beautiful pictures that's painted for us.

In all of the New Testament, while he blessed them, he was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

A beautiful scene. And I want you to notice something here. Notice the location. It says, Jesus led them as far as Bethany. And remember in Acts, we were told that it described the location, it described them returning to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. And if you've had the privilege to be in Israel, I haven't, but I've studied it a little bit. You will know that the distance between Bethany and Jerusalem, it's actually very, it's a short distance. They're very close to one another. And the journey from Bethany to the gates of Jerusalem would have been via the Mount of Olives. So it's interesting to think about where this final ascension is occurring here. This comes, now, out of the location where, just a matter of a few weeks earlier, Jesus Christ had commissioned a few of them to go get him a donkey. So that he could ride into Jerusalem. You remember that.

And make his triumphant entry. The Gospel accounts tell us of that entry of Jesus Christ, and it tells us that he was staying in Bethany. And that he descends from the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem for his triumphant entry, for the beginning of his public ministry. And so we discover once again, it is here in Bethany. As Jesus, the followers are here, and in many regards, they're about to make their own entry, aren't they? They're about to enter into a world without him. They're about to enter into their own public ministry in many ways from this point. And so it is from this point that he makes the final departure. Verse 50 again. Verse 50. And he, Jesus Christ, led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. So he stands before his followers, had he led him out to this familiar place, lifts up his hands and blessing. And it says he lifted up his hands there. This is significant. It's a significant view. It's a significant scene for those who would have been there, especially those who would have been familiar with the priestly customs.

We won't take the time to turn there, but Luke, Leviticus 9, excuse me, Leviticus 9 verse 22, Leviticus 9 verse 22, it tells us of Aaron, the high priest, lifting up his hands and blessing of the people. It's just after he came down with making the sin offerings and the burnt offerings and the peace offerings. Again, that's Leviticus 9 verse 22. So that picture of the high priest, he offered a sacrifice of sin. He came out, he raised his hands and blessing, signaling the acceptance of the sacrifice. So Jesus too here, he lifts up his hands and blessing.

That would have been a familiar sight for them, a comforting sight.

And I wonder what the blessing was. You know, what was that blessing? You know, Jesus was now looking out over the 11. Judas gone, of course, after committing suicide. You know, may my father bless you abundantly in all things, in all times. May you have all that you need. I wonder what that blessing was. May the father refresh you and be gracious to you. It would have been a wonderful blessing, hands lifted. And we don't want to miss this final picture that the disciples would have had in their mind of Jesus Christ. This is important. You know, the final picture that they would have of Jesus Christ was now not going to be that of a distressed Christ, was it? In the garden where he wept, great drops of blood, distressed as Luke tells us as well, even to the point of death.

They had had that picture in their mind of a distressed Christ. They had had a picture in their mind of a suffering Christ on the stake. But in his mercy and in his goodness, that was not to be their final picture. No, no. The final picture is this now, a victorious, ascending king.

Speaking blessings over them.

And you'll notice Luke's attention here to detail. Verse 51, his eye for detail, the doctor, I love that he says, while he blessed them, that he parted from them. While he blessed them. In other words, he was ascending and just the blessing was ringing in their ears at that time and falling over them. Wonderful final picture. And again, I tell you, it's a mark of his grace and a mark of his kindness that he stayed, that he returned to give them this these 40 days, and this this encouragement that they so desperately would have needed at that time.

How glad would you suppose Thomas was for these additional days? Think about it.

How wonderful that Jesus Christ would have given these additional days to address the doubts of Thomas. If you think about it, it was during this time that he would have been able to do that.

Thomas, I don't believe it. I'm not going to believe it unless I see him with my own eyes, unless I put my hand in his side. Well, Christ gave him that privilege during these days.

And if he hadn't done so, Thomas wouldn't have been able to address his doubts, would he? He wouldn't have been able to place his doubting hands onto the nailprints of his Savior, unable to address his fears.

With this, he was able to put those things to rest. Peter, you can imagine, in all of his disappointment and disgrace, how glad was he for this extra time.

During this time, Christ restored Peter, the betrayer, the denier. The last picture that Peter wouldn't have now would not be when his eyes met Jesus Christ, as he was denying him, and the rooster crowed. Peter stumbled so severely. I don't know the man. I've never met the man.

His eyes meet Jesus Christ. He goes out into the night weeping bitterly, eventually telling his followers, I think I'm going back to fishing.

How glad was he for these extra days? Jesus Christ comes, makes him breakfast on the shore.

He says, Peter, let's go for a walk.

Able to re-establish that love.

And Jesus telling him, essentially, now Peter, don't go back to fishing. Don't go back to fishing.

You can do this. Go ahead. Be filled. Be my sheep. Fill what I've asked you to do.

Oh, and think about the mother of Jesus. How glad was she for these extra days?

You can imagine. She had stood and witnessed what was just a disgraceful scene, a horrible scene, carried out upon her son, her boy. How glad must have she have been that that wasn't the final image that she would have. The story does not end with a distressed and bloodied Jesus Christ. It doesn't end with that. It ends with an ascended, victorious son of God, an ascended king.

The crucifixion was real, but the scriptures never encouraged us to end with a distressed Christ. Never. Here was the memory. Precious to them, I'm sure. Lifted up. His hands lifted up and blessing upon them. What is your view? Is this your view? Of your elder brother, your Savior, saying to them, if you like, I love you, I died for you, I'm returning to the Father.

I want to assure you, I am who I said I was.

It was wonderful for them because you notice their reaction. When the disciples grasped this, it just fundamentally changed them. Look at their response. What was their first response? They were there in 1st 52. He was taken up into heaven. Verse 52, then they worshiped Him.

What does that worship sound like? I don't know. It must have just been absolute reverence and honor and adoration. I wonder if they began to sing. Probably. I like to think that they began to sing. I wonder what they would have sung.

Maybe a psalm. Psalm 23, perhaps. The Lord's my shepherd. I'll not want. He makes me down to lie. And pastors greet. He leadeth me. You can imagine.

Just the song, worship, praise, breaking out. The reaction of fear no more. Fear and anxiety had marked so many of their days since that crucifixion. Their reaction was worship now. How many of your days are marked with fear and anxiety? Do you know that He's ascended?

It's important to know that.

So, first was worship. Then joy came. Great joy, it says. There's the end of verse 52. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And that's surprising, really, if you think about it.

Now Jesus is going away. And they're filled with joy.

Their friend, their Lord, their Savior, who they relied upon is now gone. Why not despair?

They get it now. All the pieces of the puzzle were put together now for them. In those words, great joy, you know, those aren't accidental words put in there by Luke. Those words certainly would bring to mind as being the exact words the angel used when he announced Jesus Christ's arrival, His birth, the birth of Jesus Christ. Then the angel said, Don't do not be afraid. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. There at the beginning, announced at the birth of Jesus Christ. Great joy. That's Luke, verse 10 and 11, if you want to look that up later. Luke 2, verse 10 and 11. The announcement of Christ's birth comes with great joy.

Worship filled them. Great joy. It's a wonderful moment for them. But, but they couldn't delay too long. They could not delay too long because, you see, they couldn't remain there simply standing still for too long, gazing up into the sky because there was one more peace to go.

One more gift for Jesus Christ to give them. And it was a promise, the gift of a promise from His Father that needed to be fulfilled. Look up one verse here to verse 49. This was now ringing in their ears. Verse 49 of Luke 24. Behold, I sent, behold, I sent the promise of my Father upon you.

But tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with the power from on high. There's the gift. So they needed to be somewhere. They needed to get back to Jerusalem to receive this wonderful gift from on high. So, in going back to Acts chapter 1, let's go back there now, again. Acts chapter 1 and verse 10, we see that the, that Luke describes this same moment there again in Acts. Acts 1 and verse 10, we see this very thing that they couldn't simply continue to still stand looking up into heaven.

You know, rather, rather we see an admonition here. Acts 1 verse 10, what are the immediate words after Jesus Christ disappears in the clouds? Acts 1 verse 10 and 11, while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as they, as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus who was taken up into heaven will so come, and like manner, as you saw Him go into heaven.

So, two men in white asked this question. It's a curious question, if you think about it. Why are you standing here looking up into the sky? Well, why do you think we're standing here looking up into the sky? Jesus Christ was here. He's now gone, and I'm looking up where He went. So, it's a curious question, really. But I think if we look at this and think about it a little bit, we see the inference here. Why are you sitting here standing here looking up?

Don't you have someplace to go? Why are you still standing here? Don't you have an appointment to keep? Why are you still standing here? Isn't there a gift that you need to be received? Get going! And so, almost immediately, their thoughts turned from the loss, the departure of a friend or brother, Jesus Christ, to now, their thoughts turning to the responsibilities, the challenges of being on earth without Him. They must prepare themselves to now plunge into these treacherous waters, now with their friend gone.

But they would not plunge into these waters unprepared. Not at all. Because something was coming to prepare them, to help them, to comfort them. Add your adjective there. The Holy Spirit was coming, the power from on high, as was promised from the Father. And it was coming on a wonderful day. What day did it come? The day of Pentecost, didn't it?

We see that in Acts 2, verse 1. Let's look at that. Acts 2, verse 1. Acts chapter 2, verse 1. And when the day of Pentecost had full come, they were all in one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven. Here's the promise from the Father. As a rushing mighty wind, it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

We'll stop there. The Holy Spirit came. You can read further on into the count. See the remarkable events of that time. And Peter, he wasted no time. And the others, they stood up. Peter begins to give a sermon. That's going down to verse 33. He's basically saying, some of you are wondering where Jesus Christ is, and some of you are wondering what all this is about. He says, well, let me tell you. Acts 2, verse 33. He, Jesus Christ, what does he say? Verse 33. Is exalted to the right hand of God.

That's where he is. That's why you don't see him. And having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has now poured out this which you now see and hear. All that you see that's happening here. So Jesus Christ is the right hand of God. And what you see happening here is the gift that he promised.

Wasted no time. And so you see the ascension was absolutely crucial. If Christ would have still been there, walking on the Jerusalem streets, we wouldn't have Peter preaching. We wouldn't have the Holy Spirit giving. So Christ ascended now, and now his followers would have everything they would need to accomplish what was necessary. This new phase, this new entry into a world without him.

This new entry into their ministry. The ascension was crucial. It accomplished these things. And to understand just how crucial it was, we can see the significance of it in a particular passage that's given to us of all that we've looked at surrounding this ascension. And it's actually found in Ephesians. So let's turn to that particular passage to get kind of a summary of these things.

Ephesians 1, beginning in verse 15. And here in Ephesians, we do have a, what is a particular and wonderful summary of everything that's surrounding now this whole event of the final ascension here. And this will serve as a good part for us to work toward a conclusion for today in our study.

So Ephesians 1, let's read verses 15 through 23.

We see the full significance here of the ascension.

This is what they began to preach. Peter began to preach.

And simply put, what we're going to see here in this passage is that the ascension, it puts two things firmly in place.

The final ascension of Jesus Christ puts two things firmly in place. Number one, number one, it seats Jesus Christ at the right hand of God with all authority.

That's the significance, number one significance of the ascension.

It seats Jesus Christ at the right hand of God with all authority.

And then number two, significance of the ascension, it makes His power, the Holy Spirit, available to His called and chosen saints.

Makes the Holy Spirit available to His called and chosen saints.

Those are the two things, the significance of the ascension. And these are two incredible items of significance.

Let's see here in Ephesians as it speaks about that in this passage. Ephesians 1, beginning in verse 15. Listen to these words. Therefore, I also, after I heard your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks to you, making mention of you in my prayers.

Verse 17. That the God of your Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. Verse 20. Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him, who fills all in all. Let's stop there. Wow! So what does His final ascension mean to you?

What does it mean? Well, I hope you felt these words. Number one, it seats Jesus Christ again at the right hand of God with all authority. The second part of verse 20. Christ, when He was raised from the dead and now seated Him, He seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above principality, power, might, dominion, every name that is named, seated, all things, all authority are under Him. You remember when Jesus Christ declared to His disciples in the commission that He was about to give them this task? He declared to them, all authority has been given to Me. And it was an unbelievable statement at that time, but He was about to send them out with this task that was before them, and He wanted them to know this truth. Can you imagine anyone else standing up and declaring this? All authority has been given to Me. I'm in charge of everything now. My Father has put it all in My name. Everything, the entire universe, was made by Me, belongs to Me. I rule over everything, and this is wonderful. Why is this wonderful? Because we say, I'm with Him. That's why.

I'm with Him. I'm in Him. He's in Me. He who sits at the right hand of God, I in Him, and He in Me.

That's why it's wonderful. And if you really want to get something pretty magnificent, just for a moment, turn over one chapter to chapter 2, Ephesians chapter 2. Speaking of Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of God, look at Ephesians 2, verse 4 through 7. Ephesians 2, verse 4 through 7. Just for a moment. Wait till you read this. This is amazing. Ephesians 2, verse 4 through 7. But God, who is rich in mercy, that's an understatement, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches of His grace and His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Boy, did you hear those words. So, in a sense, we sit in the vantage point. We're in the accompaniment. We're in the company of an ascended king. That's a pretty good seat.

That's a pretty good seat. And this discovery, it just transformed the disciples at that time. Transform them. And this discovery must transform us too. Must transform us today. When they grasped this, ah, nothing would stop them. Nothing would keep them from the work at hand. Nothing would separate them from their elder brother and their father. And it even gets better. That leads us to number two. We're going to go through this very quickly and then wrap up. Number two, significance of the ascension as mentioned. It makes His Father's power through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, available to His chosen saints. Go back to chapter one of Ephesians here for just a moment in the passage we read just a minute ago. We see what this Spirit does for us. Think about what this Spirit does for us. See this in verse 17, chapter one of Ephesians, verse 17.

It is the Spirit of wisdom that's now in us. It is the Spirit of revelation there in verse 17.

Revelation in the knowledge of Him. It reveals Him to us just as He revealed Himself to the disciples then. Verse 18. Look at these words. So the eyes of your understanding being enlightened so that you will know what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.

So the ascension doesn't mean that Jesus Christ is absent from us, does it?

It means He's present in us. He's absent physically. He's at the right hand of God.

Thankfully, He is ruling with all authority, but He's now present with us in this power. This power gives us so many things. The same power that was given to the His brothers and sisters in Christ on that day of Pentecost. It's the same power available to you and I. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. That same power is available to us. The same power that allowed Jesus Christ to conquer and overcome the wiles of the devil. That same power lives in us. So think of what that means in your life. Think of what that means with the certain things that you're struggling with from the wiles of the devil. You already have the conquering power in you.

You're struggling with health problems, with different trials of different sorts.

The same power in which He touched the leper and said, Be clean.

The same power they test the eyes and said, You can now see. The same power that said, Pick up your bed and walk. That same power is available to us.

The same power available to us today. Oh, man, we know this power more and more.

So instead of the departure of Jesus Christ signaling the end of the journey, which they had feared, the departure of Jesus Christ is the very opposite. It now signifies the catalyst. It's the catalyst to the journey that they're about to take.

It is the very thing that's going to empower them to fulfill all that's necessary.

And Jesus Christ is our ascended King, and He lifts up His hands today and blessing for us today, His spiritual brothers and sisters. In the ascension, it is this triumph over it all. His triumph is proclaimed, Lord of the universe, King over all, and we're with Him.

Oh, and by the way, He's returning. He's coming back. That's what the two men in white said, didn't they? The same way you see Him go up into heaven. Oh, He's coming back in light matter.

Amazing. So until that day, until that day, let's internalize this truth.

Let's accept and recognize this final ascension. In all of its wonder, let's worship with great joy continually, just as they did, praising Him, blessing God for His wonderful Spirit and for His wonderful elder brother, the ascended King, Jesus Christ.