Why is the reality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus so central to the Christian faith? What is the importance of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Further, thanks to the ascension, Jesus is now engaged in his mediatorial work for his people across the globe. Modern millennialists would do well to learn this important truth. For having entered it in our flesh, as it were in our name, it follows . Jeff and his wife, Lisa, have four children. Keller explains: Now, if Jesus merely wanted to return to the Father, he could have just vanished. Does it have practical implications? Why should I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Is Preaching Online to an Empty Room Really Preaching? The ascension of Christ demonstrated the manner of Christ’s *final return. Although Jesus lived his entire life in fulfillment of God’s Kingdom promises, the ascension is key. Prior to entering ministry, he spent nearly 20 years as a newspaper journalist in Georgia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. As the ascended king, he is sovereign over every part of the created order. The verb theaomai … The psalmist knew that only God can ascend up to heaven, “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there” (Psalm 66:18). « 6 things to do This Summer to Create Effective Fall Groups, 4 Difficult People You’ll Encounter in Ministry—and How to Handle Them ». Keller explains: Now, if Jesus merely wanted to … Keller explains: “So when the Bible says that Jesus stands as our advocate and representative before the throne of the universe, it is a way to say that he is ascended and not just levitated. With his birth the King arrives. 110:1; Heb 1:3). With his life, death, and resurrection the Kin… .’, Stop! How Should I Pray When I Want to Quit Ministry? He is our advocate who intercedes constantly for us. Second, in the ascension Jesus left the limitations of the time-space continuum and passed into the presence of the Father. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. . The Ascension of Jesus Christ is meaningful for several reasons: 1) It signaled the end of His earthly ministry. The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The period of human limitation was … “But at the ascension,” Keller writes, “Jesus leaves the space-time continuum and passes into the presence of the Father. Calvin, in his Institutes, summarized the good news of the ascension in his customarily pithy style: The Lord, by his ascension into heaven, has opened up the access to the heavenly kingdom, which Adam had shut. Second, the ascension marked the success of His earthly mission. . It’s really with the ascension that Jesus establishes the Kingdom. It doesn’t matter how flawed and foolish you are. Keller offers two theological reasons for the necessity of the ascension. When God looks and listens to you, he sees and hears infinite beauty . In his incarnation, Jesus was limited to one spot at one moment. But instead, at the ascension Jesus literally rises up into the clouds and disappears into the distance of the heavens. It is Finished…for real. . Your email address will not be published. This is the reality of which he spoke when he addressed the bewildered disciples in John 14, “And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” Thus, the Christian’s great and blessed hope, the hope of the resurrection of the dead and eternal life in the new Jerusalem, is intimately tied to Christ’s first going up. Learn more. His rule has begun. Thus, the ascension is a critically important doctrine, one that is not a mere abstract teaching, one that has important implications for how we live. Here is what you should know about the rival violent extremist groups—Proud Boys and Antifa—mentioned in the presidential debate. For the ascension of Jesus was also the climatic, crowning event of his exaltation, and the necessary precursor to his continuing work through the Spirit and the church. Why did he do it that way? . 4:8), the defeated enemies of the Kingdom. Facts & Trends is designed to help leaders navigate issues impacting the church. Keller traces out three vital implications of the ascension for Christian living: As the great creed has reminded Christians across the ages, “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from where he will return to judge the living and the dead.” Jesus went up and back into heaven, but will one day return as our conquering king. Never miss anything from Facts & Trends and get exclusive content delivered to your inbox. First, the ascension clearly marked the end of Christ's earthly ministry. We can only speculate, but it may have been for the same reason that we have a coronation ceremony. Jeff Robinson (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is director of news and information at Southern Seminary. The Most Important Lesson Seminary Taught Me, Why Should Pastors Stay? He is still human, still our second Adam . He was a senior editor for six years at The Gospel Coalition. And, arriving in heaven, he sits down at the Father’s right hand (Ps. He sees Jesus not sitting at the right hand but standing on his behalf, advocating for him.”. he’s at the right hand of God as the executive director of history, directing everything for the benefit of the church. But what about the event that occurred 40 days after Jesus came out of the tomb—the ascension? Do we give it short shrift when it comes to fully teasing out the work of Christ? Jesus completed all the Father had designed for Him to accomplish. That’s why the Bible pictures the Ascension as Jesus going up into heaven leading a host of captives (Eph. First, Jesus, as the unique God-man—fully human and fully divine—was going to take his place as the new king and head of the human race. “The ascension, when understood, becomes an irreplaceable, important resource for living our lives in the world—and it’s a resource no other religion or philosophy of life holds out to us.”. “Actually, it makes an enormous difference,” Keller writes. Indeed, these works are at the heart of the work of redemption. First, the ascension of Jesus Christ demonstrates the earthly work necessary … and still our Advocate—yet now he has been so glorified that everything he does has a cosmic scope . . God the Father had lovingly sent His Son into the world at Bethlehem, and now the Son was returning to the Father. There were other times when he vanished immediately out of sight, as with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. If you wanted to speak with him or relate to him, you had to do it at that place. In Acts 2, the Apostle Peter reflects on Jesus’ resurrection and ascension in light of Psalm 16and Psalm 110, and tells us that Jesus was exalted to “the right hand of God.” When we trace this phrase through Acts we see three … It doesn’t matter what you have been or what you have done. Copyright 2011-2020 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. . While there has been much emphasis on the death and resurrection of Jesus, far less attention has been given to His ascension, or His return to the Father in heaven. Keller offers two theological reasons for the necessity of the ascension. When the eyes of God the Father look at you, they see the ascended Jesus; when they listen to you, they hear him. . The ascended Christ is available for loving communication and fellowship. Agar wisely asks the rhetorical question in Proverbs 30:4, “Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Why is the ascension of Jesus Christ important? Signified the Manner of His Return. He is supremely personal. Wh… In Encounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life’s Biggest Questions (Dutton), Tim Keller argues forcefully that the ascension is a crucial, if often overlooked, aspect of the work of Christ. Christian Truth. The ascension of Jesus produced joy because the disciples realized what amazing benefits would come to them when Jesus returned to the Father. Copyright © 2020 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved.

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