City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

Acts 1

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. ” -Acts 1:9-11

… He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

…

– Nicene Creed

Reflection

The ascension of Jesus occurs abruptly. Luke depicts it occurring as Jesus is simply dialoging with His disciples. They have no idea what is about to happen, though they certainly have been trying to figure it out. As He responds to the untimely question, He floats up and away, and into heaven. At the close of Luke’s gospel, Jesus is blessing them as He ascends.

But what does it mean that Jesus has ascended? Here are a few important aspects:

Enthronement: Daniel 7 describes Jesus, the Son of Man, riding clouds, and being presented before the Ancient of Days to receive dominion. Jesus quoted this passage during his trial before the Sanhedrin. Psalm 110:1, the most quoted verse in the New Testament begins, “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand…’” The Apostles clearly understood the ascension as the moment He fulfilled these messianic prophecies, forever assuming the reign of Heaven and Earth.

Atonement: The book of Hebrews identifies Jesus as our High Priest. In returning to the Father, Jesus fulfills the Old Covenant and establishes the New Covenant in His own blood.

He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. –Hebrews 9:11b

For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. –Hebrews 9:24

Application

Jesus, our flesh-and-bone human representative, who defeated death on the worlds’ terms, is in charge of everything (material and spiritual), and mediates between humanity and God the Father. Jesus promised us that His going to the Father was good for us because it made way for the Spirit of God to come (John 16:5-7). He also told us that He is always with us. (Matthew 28:20)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am grateful that You are with the Father and are ruling everything. I am grateful that You are also with me. May You open my heart further, so that I can know You fully, trust You completely, and live in easy obedience to Your Word.