That power is the same as the mighty strength [God] exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:20-23).
“Who is Jesus Christ?” -- a central question of the Christian faith. This has been so from the beginning of the church. That is why the Apostle’s Creed, one of earliest summaries of what Christians believed, gave so much attention to Jesus. In that creed, those earliest believers included the phase, “Christ is seated at the right hand of God."
These words state something important about Jesus. But the imagery may be lost on us. To be seated suggests at rest, work completed, in control, unflustered. Here is an interesting fact, the Old Testament tabernacle and temple had no chair, no place to sit. The work was always ongoing, never finished. But Jesus went to heaven and sat. The outcome is no longer in doubt. In a world of tragedy and injustice, seemingly spinning out of control, we do well to focus on this counter-message of hope.
Christ ascended to heaven and sat down, to show that his cry on the cross, “it is finished,” was true; to show that he is head of his church; to show that the Father rules all things through him.
Luke tells us that as he went, Jesus blessed his disciples. This was not Jesus simply waving goodbye, wishing them luck. No! it was part of their commissioning. They were being sent out to continue the mission Jesus had started.
But why did he leave? Wouldn’t it have been better if their leader led them from here? Again. No! He ascended into heaven, to sit on the throne of power and rule. Earth is the place he rules. Heaven is the throne room, control centre. From there, he continues to send forth his church on his mission with his power.
What does that mission look like? Is it merely a matter of sending forth missionaries to the farthest reaches of the earth? Is it merely to create churches so Christians can learn about God, worship him, prepare for his return, and hope others will join us? Again no. That is part of it, of course, but there is so much more.
In Jesus’ ascension we celebrate Christ’s coronation, Lord of all, ruler over history and culture, the arts and the sciences. This is why Christians have often initiated educational institutions. This is why we persist in being involved in the arts, in science, even in politics. In all spheres of human life, we seek to live out the reign of Christ.
The same power that raised Christ from the dead, seated him on heaven’s throne, now sends us forth in mission to the ends of the world, yes, but also into all areas of human endeavor. We go, not with earthly weapons of power plays and back room deals, but in the power of love and gentleness and patience and kindness.
We go, recognizing that we are entering into battle. Forces of evil still linger in this world. It is rarely easy to live as a Christian among unbelievers, but we are sustained by our faith that Jesus is on the throne, and he will not rest until he has completed his work. As Paul says, “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). This faith believes what Peter wrote, [Jesus] “has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Peter 3:22).
Satan tempts us to forget that Jesus is King. But with his ascension, Christ’s eternal reign over all his enemies began. Jesus Christ is the King of the universe, and Satan can do nothing about it.
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