What does the ascension of Jesus mean for the world?
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died —more than that, who was raised to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. Hebrews 8:1-2
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Jesus is seated in power at the Father’s right hand, where he intercedes for his people and reigns as Lord over everyone and everything.
Many of us deal with stress and anxiety. We’re worried about our lives, our family, our friends, or even the world. We wonder if things are going to work out. We look around and ask, is everything just a matter of blind chance?
The Bible teaches us that, after his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. But this doesn’t mean that Jesus left us on our own. It doesn’t mean that Jesus just went back to the Father to enjoy the life of heaven.
It means that Jesus ascended to the throne of heaven, the throne of the universe, to be in charge. We can trust that Jesus is steering the course of history.
It also means, as Paul and the writer of the letter to the Hebrews says, that Jesus is our great, heavenly high priest who is continually speaking to the Father on our behalf. In the midst of our confusion and pain, we can be encouraged that the God of the universe is on our side.
This doesn’t mean that nothing bad will ever happen to the world, to us, or to our family. But it does mean that, ultimately, the king of the universe is on our side. He loves us and is working all things together for our eternal good. And though bad things will happen, we shouldn’t be plagued by stress and anxiety. We can take those anxieties to God because he cares for us. He promises a peace that comes from knowing that God is all-powerful and all-loving. We know this without a doubt because Jesus has ascended to the throne of the universe and he’s in charge. He’s there interceding, or advocating, on our behalf.
Spend some time today thanking God that he’s in charge, asking him to guide your life and to help you put your trust in him even in the midst of challenging circumstances.