“He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.”
This statement from the Apostles’ Creed repeats a truth that is taught in several New Testament passages. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus’ disciples watched in awe as he was taken up to disappear into the clouds. Angels told them that he would come again from heaven in a similar way (Acts 1:11).
Peter wrote that Jesus “has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand — with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” ( 1 Peter 3:23). Paul wrote that Jesus, the one who descended, “is the very one who ascended higher than the heavens” (Ephesians 4:10). God “seated him at his own right hand in the heavenly realms far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:20-21).
What is Jesus doing in heaven now? He is sharing in the rule of Almighty God over the universe. He has the title “Lord” which indicates his fulfillment of the prophecy of Psalm 110 which says that a descendant of King David will rule from God’s right hand. This present rule is in anticipation of his future coming to earth to rule his visible kingdom.
He is also preparing a place for his people in a heavenly home he calls “my Father’s house” (John 14:2-3). He told his disciples that he would be going away to get a place ready for them. He promised to come back and take them there personally. This is very good news for all who believe in Jesus.
In addition, the Lord Jesus is interceding for believers as our great high priest (Hebrews 4:14-5:10). The Jews in the Old Testament had priests who were authorized under the law to represent them before God. They offered sacrifices and prayed for the people that their sins might be forgiven. Today Jesus is the only priest anyone needs to stand in for them before a holy God. His death on the cross atoned for sinners. He is the only mediator between God and humanity.
He is praying for his people and his prayers are effective. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that though he experienced temptation and the sufferings of the human condition, he was without sin. Raymond Brown wrote, “No one on earth, before or since, has been through such spiritual desolation and human anguish. For this reason he can help us in our moments of temptation.” As our perfect representative, he is our sympathetic advocate.
Therefore, we are invited to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We are promised mercy to cover the sins of yesterday, and grace to meet the needs of today.
My wife and I were having a conversation with a friend who is not yet a Christian. “Why do I need an intermediary between me and God?” she asked. “Because God is holy and we are sinners,” I answered. We went on to explain how Jesus’ sacrifice and present ministry at God’s right hand make believers acceptable to God by grace.
This is what we mean when we join the confession, “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.”
Pastor Randy Faulkner
