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he is risen Friends, we do not glorify, praise, serve or worship a dead Saviour. Jesus Christ, the Son of God was not only raised from the grave; He also ascended unto heaven: (Acts 1:9) “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Christ’s ascension took place forty days after God resurrected Jesus from the grave: (Acts 1:3) "To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" We are even given the general location where Jesus ascended up to heaven. Acts 1:9 tells us of His ascension and verse 12 tells us that they who had witnessed the ascension returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet. Perhaps there are those who are wondering why Christ ascended into heaven. The best answers that I can give may be found in the Bible, God’s own words. One of the great messages of the gospel is that Jesus ascended to heaven as a “forerunner”: (Heb 6:20) "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Doesn’t that give you encouragement to know that Jesus is our “forerunner” and we will also follow Him to heaven some day? What is Jesus doing at this very moment in heaven? He is making intercession for us: (Rom 8:34) “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (cf. Heb. 9:24). It was from heaven that Jesus sent gifts: (Eph 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" But you ask, “What about me, what has Jesus given me?” No doubt you are thinking that the days of miracles are past so what do I have to look forward to? Have you considered the possibility of salvation? As already mentioned Jesus is our “forerunner” and someday He will come again to receive us unto Himself (cf. John 14:3). Brethren that is a gift that I long for and strive to live a life worthy of receiving. There is no way that I can ever earn such a gift. But through the grace of God and the promise of Jesus (John 14:3) I can have confidence of receiving it. Finally I am grateful for Jesus’ ascension because it was from heaven that he sent the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to preach, teach and to write books and letters that informs us today of God’s plan of salvation (cf. Jn. 16:7; Ax. 2:33). Yes Jesus’ ascension is just one of the many great messages of the gospel of Jesus. Let us often reflect back to this great event in history. |