Preaching Guide: The Ascension of Jesus Christ

The purpose of Preaching Guides is to provide the essential information a preacher or Bible teacher will need to prepare a message.  My goal is to create a preaching guide for every essential topic in the Bible.  

DEFINITIONS

• Millard Erickson defines the ascension as Christ “leaving the conditions of earth and reassuming his place with the Father.”  Erickson, Christian Theology, 796
• “In the resurrection Jesus was liberated from the bonds of death; now he is restored to the close presence, power and majesty of his Father.”  Alister McGrath, I Believe, 73
• “Jesus’ ascension was his Father’s act of withdrawing him from his disciples’ gaze upward (a sign of exaltation) into a cloud (a sign of God’s presence).  This was… part two (the Resurrection being part one) of Jesus’ return from the depths of death to the height of glory.”  J.I. Packer, Concise Theology, 127
• “That act of the God-man by which he brought to an end his postresurrection appearances to his disciples, was finally parted from them physically, and passed into the other world, to remain there until his second advent.”  Alexander Ross, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
• “… the return of Christ to heaven at the end of his earthly ministry.”  R.C. Sproul, What We Believe, 145

INTERESTING INFORMATION

• Jesus ascended to heaven forty days after the resurrection (Acts 1:3, 9).
• The Ascension is celebrated around the world on Ascension Day, which is forty days after Easter, or the sixth Thursday after Easter.  This tradition was fixed by the fourth century (William Barclay, The Apostles’ Creed, 138).
• The Ascension is mentioned in all the ecumenical creeds:  The Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian.  
• An ancient legend says that each of the apostles contributed one article of the Apostles’ Creed.  One of the earliest versions of that legend says that Thomas said, “He rose from the dead,” and James said, “He ascended to heaven.” William Barclay, The Apostles’ Creed, 135
• Other Ascensions in the Bible:
• Enoch.  Gen 5:24
• Elijah.  2 Kings 2:4-12
• In one passage about Jesus at God’s right hand, He is standing rather than sitting.  It is the Stephen passage (Acts 7:56).
• After the ascension, the disciples were filled with joy (Luke 24:51).  
• Theologians divide the work of Christ into two states:  humiliation and exaltation.  These are referred to as the state of humiliation, and the state of exaltation.  The state of humiliation includes several steps: Christ’s incarnation, suffering, death, burial, and some might include His descent to Hades.  The state of exaltation includes several steps as well: Christ’s resurrection, ascension into heaven, session at the right hand of God, and second coming.  Therefore, in the study of theology, the ascension falls under the category of the state of Christ’s exaltation.  In describing the doctrine of the twofold state of Christ, Millard Erickson wrote, “What we have are a series of steps down from his glory, then a series of steps back up to his glory, and even something beyond that (Erickson, Christian Theology, 788).”

QUOTES

• “The Ascension is far and away the most difficult incident in the life of Jesus either to visualize or to understand.”  William Barclay, The Apostles’ Creed, 134
• “The Ascension stands for the final liberation of Jesus from all limitations of space and time, so that he is freed to be lovingly and powerfully present with every man, in every place, in every age.” William Barclay, The Apostles’ Creed, 142
• William Barclay sums up the New Testament picture of Christ at the right hand of God:  “It is there in the first Christian sermon, when peter drew the picture of Jesus being exalted at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33).  It occurs in Peter’s defiant speech to the Sanhedrin: ‘God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior’ (Acts 5:31).  It is there in the dying vision of Stephen who saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56).  It goes back to Jesus’ own warning to his enemies when he warned them that the day would come when they would see him at the right hand of God (Mt 26:64; Mk 14:62; Lk 22:69).  It is in the thought of Paul.  In Romans he speaks of Christ Jesus who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God (Rm 8:34).  Christians are advised to seek the things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1).  God raised Christ from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places (Eph 1:20).  It is there in the thought of the writer to the Hebrews.  When Jesus had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb 1:3).  For the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2).  It is there in the thought of Peter who speaks of Jesus Christ who has gone into haven and is at the right hand of God (1 Pt 3:22).”  William Barclay, The Apostles’ Creed, 144-145
• “Is there any part of Christ’s life that we talk about less than His ascension?”  Kevin DeYoung, The Good News We Almost Forgot, 95
• Kevin DeYoung refers to the ascension as “the forgotten ending.”  DeYoung, The Good News We Almost Forgot, 95
• “If the Apostles’ Creed omitted Jesus’ ascension into heaven and his place at the right hand of the Father, would you have noticed?”  Al Mohler, The Apostles’ Creed, 103
• “‘Ascended’ is, of course, a picture-word implying exaltation (“going up!”) to a condition of supreme dignity and power.”  J.I. Packer, Affirming the Apostles’ Creed, 98
• “So the message of the Ascension story is: ‘Jesus the Savior reigns!”  J.I. Packer, Affirming the Apostles’ Creed, 98

KEY PASSAGES

• The Ascension Predicted:
• Psalm 110:1 This is the declaration of the LORD to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
• John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
• John 14:12 Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
• John 14:28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
• John 16:5 But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
• John 16:7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.
• John 16:10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me
• John 16:28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.
• John 20:17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
• The Ascension Described:
• Mark 16:19 So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
• Luke 24:50-51 50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven.
• Acts 1:9-11 9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”
• The Ascension Affirmed:
• Eph 4:10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.
• 1 Timothy 3:16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
• Heb 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.
• Heb 7:26 For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
• Christ at the Father’s right hand:
• Psalm 110:1 This is the declaration of the LORD to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
• Mt 26:64 “You have said it,” Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
• Acts 2:33 Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear.
• Acts 5:31 God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
• Acts 7:56 He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
• Romans 8:34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
• Ephesians 1:20-22 20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens—21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet, and appointed him as head over everything for the church
• Col 3:1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
• Heb 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
• Heb 8:1 Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens
• Heb 12:2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• 1 Pt 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
• Christ’s ministry of intercession:
• Romans 8:34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
• Hebrews 2:17-18 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement, for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
• Heb 4:14-16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
• Hebrews 7:25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.
• Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God for us.
• 1 Jn 2:1 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.
• Unclassified Verses on the Ascension
• Ephesians 4:8 For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.
• Eph 4:10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.
• Philippians 2:9-11 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

WHAT IS JESUS DOING NOW?

He is bodily in heaven.

• Luke 24:50-51 50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven.

He is sitting at the right hand of God.

• Mark 16:19 So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
• What does it mean that Christ is sitting at God's right hand?
• God has accepted His sacrifice for our sins.
• Philippians 2:9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name
• Christ is ruling all things.
• Ephesians 1:20-22 20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens—21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet, and appointed him as head over everything for the church.

He is preparing a place for us in heaven.

• John 14:2-3 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.

He is pouring out the Holy Spirit on believers.

• John 16:7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.
• John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
• Acts 2:33 Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear.

He is serving as our great high priest.

• Heb 4:14
• Heb 8:1

F.F. Bruce (The Epistle to the Hebrews) says that Christ’s high-priestly function is four-fold.  

First, He made atonement for your sins. 

• Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

Second, He strengthens you in temptation.

• Hebrews 2:18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Third, He supplies mercy and grace to help you in time of need.

• Hebrews 4:15-16 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Fourth He intercedes for you (to intercede is to pray for someone else).  

• Hebrews 7:25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

What is Christ praying for?  There are several theories:

First, on the basis of 2 John 2:1 and Romans 8:34, some believe that Christ is in heaven defending our salvation before God.  The Bible says that Satan is constantly accusing the believers before God (Rev 12:10), mocking and insulting us, but Christ is there to defend us.  Kevin DeYoung wrote, “Our Lord Jesus is in heaven pleading our case, so that whenever Satan accuses us in our conscience or dares to lay a charge against us before the Father, Jesus Christ, God’s own Son and our flawless advocate, stands ready to defend us and plead His own blood for our sakes (DeYoung, The Good News We Almost Forgot, 96).”  John Starke agrees, writing that Christ “calls attention to his perfect righteousness in defense of sinning saints.”

Second, some, like John Piper and D.A. Carson, interpret Hebrews 7:25 to mean that the intercession of Christ plays a significant role in our salvation.  Piper says that “he would not be able to save us forever if he did not go on interceding for us forever… This means we should not talk about our salvation in static terms the way we often do – as if… Christ did something once when He died and rose again, and that’s all there is to it.  That’s not all there is to it.  This very day I am being saved by the eternal intercession of Jesus in heaven.  Jesus is praying for us and that is essential to our salvation.”  D.A. Carson agrees, saying that “Jesus offers ongoing prayers for his people, to the end that God will continue to forgive them, on the ground that his own sacrificial death has completely satisfied God’s demands.”  

Third, some, like F.F. Bruce and David Jeremiah believe Jesus is eternally praying John 17.

Fourth, theologian Robert Letham has a different view.  He pointed to the ascension described in Luke 24:50.  Right before Jesus ascended, He lifted up His hands and blessed His disciples.  Letham believes this was the priestly benediction in Numbers 6:24.

Fifth, Tony Evans argues that Christ is praying for us the same thing He prayed for Peter in Lk 22:32 -- help against Satan's attacks.  In Luke 22, the disciples were arguing about who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus turned to Peter and warned him that Satan had asked to sift them like wheat – to make them useless so they can’t effectively serve God.  In 22:32, Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail.  This is what Hebrews 7:25 means, where he translates the word “save” as “deliver” from Satan.  In other words, Hebrews 7:25 is not saying that Christ is praying for believers’ salvation, but for their deliverance from Satan.  When a believer is attacked by Satan, Jesus stands ready to come to their aid.  Hebrews calls Jesus our high priest (Heb 3:1), a priest in the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:10).  In Genesis, after fighting a battle, Abraham encountered Melchizedek, a priest of God, who gave Abraham bread and wine (Gen 14:7-19).  Being of the same order, Christ our High Priest does the same thing for us.  He helps us to recover from and prepare for the next battle with Satan.