Ascended to heaven - 19 July 2023

What is more enjoyable than coming home after a hard day’s work and sinking deep into your favourite armchair? This is when you can take it slow and relax.

The Bible tells us that after all that he had to endure here on earth, Jesus was taken up into heaven where he sat at the right hand of God. To rest? No, to continue with his task. He is still busy for our sake – 24/7.

Jesus continues to defend his children with the Father. In 1 John 2:1, we read that Jesus pleads with the Father on our behalf when we have sinned. When you are in trouble with the law, you want to have the best defence possible. In Jesus Christ, we have someone who defends us before the Father.

He is also the One who sends the Holy Spirit. “God has raised this very Jesus from death … He has been raised to the right-hand side of God, his Father, and has received from him the Holy Spirit, as he had promised. What you now see and hear is his gift that he has poured out on us. (Acts 2:32-33) The Bible says that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ receives the Holy Spirit. Jesus knows our weaknesses. Believers can do nothing by their own strength. That is why he sends his Spirit to live in us.

Not only do we receive his Spirit, but he also gives us the ability and gifts we need to use in his service here on earth. “Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given.” (Ephesians 4:7)

Satan accuses us before God day and night (Revelation 12:10), and he tries to convince us that we are still guilty. However, we do have an Advocate: “Who will accuse God’s chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right-hand side of God, pleading with him for us!” (Romans 8:33-34)

Jesus also pleads for those seeking God and he brings them to God. Jesus is our High Priest: “And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives for ever to plead with God for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for continuing to plead for us with the Father. Amen