Text: Luke 24:36-53, John 16:4-33, Hebrews 10:11-14
As a kid growing up in Michigan—all blonde braids and denim overalls—I was sure that heaven must be a wonderful place, and equally certain that I was bound to see all the animals I loved there. I was less sure how I felt about worshipping and bowing around a big throne for all of eternity. And I was skeptical about angels and beasts saying, “Holy, holy, holy” (Revelation 4:8). Why so repetitive, anyway? And when would we get to eat clove-flavored gumdrops and jump on clouds?
The world has a lot to say about heaven, but much like my childhood vision, it’s often far more informed by wistful thinking than by Scripture. But wherever and whatever heaven is, we do know this to be true: when Christ left His disciples, He ascended to heaven (Luke 24:51), and “after offering one sacrifice for sins forever,” He “sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12).
God is in heaven, and Jesus sits at His right hand.
I love having firm answers to biblical questions. Because honestly, my kids ask me stuff like this all the time, and I want to be a good and accurate teacher for them. The concept of Christ ascended to heaven could make us feel like Christ has disappeared from earth, but His ascension to His place at God’s right hand actually changes everything.
The Bible tells us that God the Father is Spirit, and He does not have a body like we do (John 4:24; Colossians 1:15). Jesus, on the other hand, does have a body, and He ascended in that body to His Father in heaven (Luke 24:39). Scripture also gives a glimpse, however limited, of the future awaiting us when our own bodies are raised even as Jesus was (I Corinthians 15:52; Romans 6:4).
We don’t know all the details of what heaven looks like, or how it will feel to be in the presence of God (though I reckon it’s going to be good!). We do, however, know that Christ is seated, signifying that His work is complete, and this changes not only our future, but the here and now.
Why? Because only by His ascension do we receive His Spirit (John 16:7). And our ascended Christ is, even now, interceding for us at the throne of God (1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 8:34). Jesus, right this instant, is serving as our High Priest! He has gone on to heaven to prepare a place for us (John 14:2), and He’s guaranteed to return for us, when He will judge both the living and the dead (John 14:3; 1 Peter 4:5).
What difference does this knowledge make to us now? It turns our sorrows into joy (John 16:20)!
Because Christ’s work is complete, our salvation is secure. His ascension and enthronement mean that our hope is sure, and we can have confidence as we approach the throne of grace, and joy as we serve Him here (Ephesians 3:12).
Heaven will be beyond our wildest dreams. I don’t know if there will be old dogs, or gumdrops, or cloud-jumping—though I wouldn’t put any of that past our God in His never-ending goodness to His children. Nevertheless, what great comfort it is to know that the Christ who died for us has ascended to heaven and waits for us there. We can be confident, not only of the good things to come, but of His loving, mediating work on our behalf this very day. Thanks be to God.
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57 thoughts on "The Ascension: Where Is Jesus Now?"
Jesus is amazing and I am so thankful for Him. Knowing someone loves me so much fills my heart with peace.
Wow…The thought of God judging both the living and the dead when he comes back I’m not gonna lie it scares me. It scares me because he is judging every single thing we’ve done (good or bad). I feel like that could do two things for people. It can make God have good thoughts about them and know their doing well in his word or God can think that while this person has faith there not listening nor acting in my word. And while I consider myself and others around me pretty good people you never now what people do in the dark. However I did love thinking about this concept because it wants to make me be more showered in the word than I already am!!! Amen, Great word!!!!
I don’t understand how God will judge the living and the dead. it makes me think those who are dead still have a choice to follow him. anyone have insight into this?
Revelation 20:11-15 speaks of the Great White Throne judgment. During this judgment, all of the dead will stand before Father God. There will be two books opened during this judgment. One is the Book of Life, the other will be a book that contains the works every dead person has done while living on earth. As we know from other Scriptures, no person has done righteous deeds in and of themselves. Therefore, their righteousness cannot save them. Also, “it is appointed for man once to die and then the judgment”. (Hebrews 9:27) Therefore, the dead cannot trust in Christ’s work on their behalf after their physical death. “Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Only those whose names are in the Book of Life will escape the Great White Throne judgment and have eternal life, for these are the ones who placed their trust in the work of Jesus Christ on their behalf. Their works do not condemn them because Jesus’ works have been appropriated to them because they trust in His works for their salvation. What we decide to do with Jesus in the here and now affects where how we will spend eternity — either separated from Him or worshipping Him.
Really blessed by this study — I’m doing it in conjunction with the Bible in a Year plan, & I’m loving the real life devotionals of this one! Thank you SRT, for providing scripture & sound application — exactly what my heart needs to read in every study on this wonderful app.
Christ’s work is completed and our salvation secure. Resting in this tonight.
Jesus waiting for me reminds me of when my babies learned how to walk. I would put some space between us and encourage my angels to take one step, then two. Sometimes they would fall, sometimes they would get frustrated and cry. But I would never stop calling for them and asking them to continue trying and moving forward. The big reward was the them reaching my arms and i would give them the tightest hug while everyone watching would yell “yay!!” With the warmest sense of achievement and pride.
I imagine the same, with Jesus waiting for me with open arms and the most loving encouragement for me to put one foot in front of the other. Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I’m ashamed of my stumbles and sometimes it hurts to fall. But the thought of being embraced by Him while all the angels in heaven celebrate is just too much for me to pass up.
Thank you Lord Jesus, by your cross and resurrection,for preparing a place for me.
I love your comment. I couldn’t have said anything better than you just did.
This is an awesome comparison! Thank you for this Dara!
Thank you so much for sharing this analogy!
What a lovely comment :D
Oh how I need this picture in my mind daily!
Jesus goes ahead of me. He leaves me with His Spirit.
Praying these words, these truths sink deep into my soul today. God went ahead of His people in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 31:8, Exodus 13:21). Jesus went ahead of us to heaven in the New Testament (John 14). These truths of the Lord’s promises, faithful love, and steadfast character fill my weary heart with peace and hope.
Have you ever found yourself in a place you didn’t want to be in? A place you chose to come to, then realized was most certainly not for you… only a bit too late. The fight or flight kicks in, alternating between digging in your heels to make it work or checking plane schedules for the next flight out… This is the kind of place where I find myself today. Sadly, this has been my reality for more than a year. I have been trying (fighting myself) to accept the current realities of where I am, where I live. I fight because I feel alone. My husband works long days. I haven’t been able to find anything to stick, to occupy my time. And I really just want to wipe my hands of this place and walk away. But that is not a possibility for me, for us at this moment. I know this is probably for the better – to grow me, to teach me, to refine me – however, in the midst of this challenging time these good, growth opportunities are hard to accept with open-hands.
Yet the thought of God going ahead, of Jesus going ahead always gives my heart a reassuring sense of comfort and hope. Because no matter how daunting or debilitating my current realities feel, I know that where I am is no surprise to the Lord. I know that He has gone ahead of me, He does go ahead of me – both to heaven and in every day of my life. And He has given me His Spirit, His Helper to guide me through these days. I know these truths, but I can all too easily forget Who lives in me, Who calls me worthy, and Who loves me with an everlasting love. But right now, remembering that Jesus goes ahead of me and has left me with His Spirit, I know that He is with me and can work through me. I may feel alone, but – in Truth – I am not alone. He is with me. Ready. Waiting. To work. To do the hard work of acceptance and movement WITH me, here. In the midst of this uncomfortable place. To shine for Him. Praying for strength and courage to fight the good fight with His help, by His Spirit and through His love. Grateful He never leaves or forsakes those who love Him, ever.
Oh friend, do I hurt reading this for you. I have been there. It’s such a “middle” place to be and so hard. I miss catching up with you. Going to be amping up my prayers over you. I know you know God has great plans for you, I’ll just be prayerful He begins to bring those out and that, in the meantime, He provide an unimaginable and sustainable peace over your place! Love to you!
Joining in prayer <3
Thank you for your prayers, Heather!❤️
Sweet Betsy, I am so grateful for your continued prayers! I was so encouraged and blessed to see your words this morning. So very grateful for you, friend! Praying all is well down your way.
Your story hits home for me, as I’m going through the exact same situation. I thought moving back home would be actually good, but it did not go as planned. Everyday I feel so stressed that I just feel like digging myself in a hole and not coming out for a very long time! I like what you said about where you are is no surprise to the Lord; that gives me confidence that He knows what He is doing and I need to trust in Him a lot more then I have been.
Thank you for your words and the reminder to trust Him, Amanda. Looking back, I feel I have lived this last year merely surviving, living in that self-dug hole. Your words encouraged me once again to trust Him because He wants me to thrive, to embrace a fuller life WITH Him. Keeping my eyes fixed on Him, on the bigger picture He has planned rather than the ‘little’ annoyances of my situation. I will pray over you and your situation too.❤️
I have a question… What does it mean when I read “he will judge the living and the dead”? Through Jesus no one is dead, right?
I’m pretty new to the Bible so I am often confused. Though I will say that SRT has helped a ton!!
Hey Halee! It means that when Jesus returns he will judge those of us whose are still living on earth in our physical bodies at the time of his return, and also those whose physical bodies have already died. When the Lord returns those who have been buried will actually rise from their graves and we will all be judged together.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV)
Amanda,
Thank you!!!
I feel so much peace when through the scripture i am reminded that my citizenship is in heavens… that Jesus rules above everything and no matter my pains and my fights in earth, it is nothing compare to that final destination… soon to come!!!! Blessing
This is my first comment… Blessing to those hands and minds that are being used by God to make more disciples–>Me.
Jesus indeed paid it all. We were created to worship but do you ever “exchange the truth of God for a lie?” Join the discussion on The Great Exchange and have a laugh at my expense? I’m so thankful for you, my SRT sisters. https://awordthatmatters.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/the-great-exchange/
Thank you so much for your encouraging post. I am reading a lot about Heaven these days. Randy Alcorn’s book on the subject is really good. Also, if you are interested, John Wesley’s sermon entitled “The General Deliverance” is a great sermon re: God’s redemption of his entire creation (including animals). Thanks again!
Thanks for joining us today, Valerie! So grateful to have you in the SRT community!
Grace and Peace,
Kaitlin
Although the suffering and pain experienced through a loss, or a change in life’s circumstances casts shadows and darkness into our lives, and it may seem as though the light and joy are far away, there is truth knowing that once experienced, joy will return, and my heart will be able to rejoice and experience that joy again. I have faith that my suffering is temporary, and rejoice knowing that the joy to come cannot be taken from me.
I am thankful and grateful He has gone into heaven to prepare a place for me!
I LOVE the fact that He is seated. It says so much in one word!! The priests at the Tabernacle never sat down…they were working constantly offering sacrifices. There was no time or place to sit. Jesus now sits because IT IS FINISHED!! I just love that thought! That fact :)
Thanks for sharing. I never paid attention to that before
I love that too, Tami! Thanks for the encouraging reminders today!
xoxo-Kaitlin
*sin
Joy! Jesus has gone before me, he speaks good things to the Father on my behalf even though he sees my soinGlory to God
” No more tears, no more pain, no more fear, never dying again”. Makes me cry at the very thought if being with Jesus and my loved one for eternity.
Thinking about heaven used to scare the snot out of me…can you guess if this was a time in my life I wasn’t living according to the gospel? I have grown up in church but never had my own RELATIONSHIP with Him until my late college years. I then began to read the Word and what it says about those glorious days we will spend with our Father in Heaven. Now, I seriously can’t wait!!!!
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
Since my nephew passed away, I have never been more excited for heaven. Don’t get me wrong, Jesus is the best reason ever.. but it just made it more tangible for me. Thankful for the assurance of heaven!
http://www.in-due-time.com
I love the image that God gives us of Jesus sitting down at the right hand of God. Not simply telling us that Jesus’ work is complete but showing us by the image of Him sitting down. What a great assurance for today.
I’m reminded of this beautiful song by my favorite band, Rend Collective. It’s called Boldy I Approach https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4QDnVD7gu5Y
Even though we sim, even though we doubt and turn from Jesus again and again, he will always let us run back into his arms. Boldy coming before him, because he is always true to his word. He always will love, always will forgive, and will always be there for us. Thank you Lord!
*sin
I’m reminded of the lyrics to the hymn “Before the Throne”… “Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea; a great High Priest whose name is Love, who ever lives and pleads for me.” The idea that, because of Christ’s sacrifice, God doesn’t look at me and see my sin. He looks at me and sees Jesus’ righteousness covering me. Jesus is there, at the right hand of God, covering for me even now! What a sweet relief, what an amazing gift! “For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon ME.” If you want to listen… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LpjzDCk-Io
Thank you for this. I just looked up the hymn and the words are amazing! What a wonderful pairing to this devotion today.
The many times I moved as a child had my sisters and I always very curious of about the new town and especially our new homes. We often had a mental list of questions, concerns and wants; a big yard, individual rooms, cool kitchens, pools, etc…. Our idea of “perfect” didn’t always line up with our parents but my mother understood enough to know what would be important to us, to the family, the things that would make the house the best choice for us. My father, on the other hand, was very practical, he looked at things like cost, location and any amount of work the house might have needed. He didn’t think about school districts, neighborhood amenities or the fun factor. This always had us a trite concerned. Fortunately, when the time came, my Mom would find someone to stay with us or send us to our grandparent’s home and she go ahead of us and meet my Dad, who would have already relocated, and together they would look at housing. One by one they would scrutinize countless houses and in the time, she was able to move our father out of practicality and into reason for us, we knew that she was the one speaking into our needs for us and we wouldn’t worry so much about where we would end up. We knew that when Mom returned home, she would bring good news and peace over our new place. Before the internet, we didn’t have the option of googling streets, homes or schools, we went with blind hope and trust on each move and each time we were not failed. Mom made sure that our houses were homes.
Sometimes it is easiest for me to view the ascension in this sort of way, knowing full well that Jesus has gone ahead of me to prepare a place for me, with me in mind. He speaks grace and mercy over me and has secured my eternal home in a way that only He could. I don’t have to speak my desires or concerns, He always knows that and no amount of my wishing could compete with Heaven … it is more than I could dream up and beyond my boldest expectations.
So incredibly thankful for the work Jesus is doing on my behalf, for His constant and continuing grace towards me, for considering me in all things!
B thanks so much for your analogy, it made me stop and say wow that is what Jesus is doing for me…for us. Appreciate you sharing your wisdom!
Wonderful illustration….thanks for sharing!
Loved this word picture!
I need this eternal perspective of His work over me, over my life – every day. Grateful for His mindful work of great love and eternal preparations for us. Thank you for sharing this loving story and hope-filled truth, friend.
What a fantastic illustration! Thank you B!
I just want to see Jesus. I want to touch him. I want him to hug me.
Me too!! I want this more as time goes on. I want to kiss his feet.
yes yes yes!!!!
I’m one of 8 children, second oldest. Sometimes in the midst of the cacophony of a large family, it’s hard to feel noticed. And so, on occasion, I would whine and complain that I felt like I was lost in the shuffle. “It’s not all about you,” was my mother’s response. Sigh.
Praise God for Jesus! I am not lost in the shuffle by Him. As if His death on the Cross in my place was not enough, He is now seated in heaven with me on His mind. He sent the Holy Spirit for me. He’s interceding for me. He is preparing a place for me. He promises to return for me. With Jesus, it really is all about me. He loves me more than! Any difficulty I have here just pales before His sacrifice. And any joy I have here just pales before what I will one day have. I so look forward to that day when I can thank Him face to face for noticing me. I love you, Jesus.
Hallelujah to His name!
1.”When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. ” – Would this mean that all the suffering we have in this life and persecutions are labour pains for going into Heaven and being with Jesus?
2. HE WAITS FOR US THERE.We are specially invited guests that He is taking time out to prepare the place. Wow what a thing to rejoice about. (Figurative: imagine scents, perfumes, decor, bedspreads, pools, swim up bars, all the amenities you could ever want…..its gonna be better. SOMEONES WAITING FOR ME!!!!
Nevertheless, what great comfort it is to know that the Christ who died for us has ascended to heaven and waits for us there. We can be confident, not only of the good things to come, but of His loving, mediating work on our behalf this very day. Thanks be to God….
Oh how I love these words of yours Rebecca, I can read them tomorrow and they will apply then too…Each day Christ is lovingly mediating on behalf of this sinner…right there at the right hand of the Almighty Father God…what peace, what joy, what hope…
Praise you God…Thank you Lord God…
Amen…
Loves, praying the Lord God turn His face to shine on you today and through this coming week. ..Be absolutely and amazingly Blessed..xxx
Aaaaaaaamen!!!!
“Each day Christ is lovingly mediating on behalf of this sinner…” a very humbling truth! Love to you T! Hope all is well your way!
So well put. What wonderful peace we have from Jesus knowing He’s constantly intersessing for us. And the excitement of knowing He’s waiting for us to come to be with Him forever.
“We can be confident, not only of the good things to come, but of His loving, mediating work on our behalf this very day.” This very day! Love this truth, Tina!