Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Grace and Peace Episode 23
Presbyterian Church of Easton
February 16, 2021
Grace and Peace Episode 23
Presbyterian Church of Easton
February 16, 2021
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
Heidelberg Catechism
46 Q. What do you mean by saying, “He ascended to heaven”?
A. That Christ, while his disciples watched, was taken up from the earth into heaven and remains there on our behalf until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.
47 Q. But isn’t Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us?
A. Christ is true human and true God. In his human nature Christ is not now on earth; but in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit he is never absent from us.
46 Q. What do you mean by saying, “He ascended to heaven”?
A. That Christ, while his disciples watched, was taken up from the earth into heaven and remains there on our behalf until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.
47 Q. But isn’t Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us?
A. Christ is true human and true God. In his human nature Christ is not now on earth; but in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit he is never absent from us.
Luke 24:50 When (Jesus) had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and
blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
One day all believers will go to heaven. And when we do we will find that it is not a fearful
place. Rather, when we get there we will find Jesus, in His resurrected body, in charge. He has taken possession of it. Jesus is in control of heaven. And he will be speaking into God's ear, interceding on our behalf.
place. Rather, when we get there we will find Jesus, in His resurrected body, in charge. He has taken possession of it. Jesus is in control of heaven. And he will be speaking into God's ear, interceding on our behalf.
In heaven, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God. In ancient times, when kings went into battle they carried their shields in their left hand and swords in their right. They could easily defend
themselves from any threat from the left. But they were vulnerable to attacks from the right. So the king would put his best warrior at his right hand. This warrior would protect the king from any threat from the right. This practice was continued in the king's court where he would put his most trusted advisor as his right hand. The person on the right would exert power at the will of the king. To say that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God indicates that Jesus uses God's power to achieve God's will.
So we have seen that Jesus, in his physical body, has ascended into heaven where he now exercises all authority and power from the right hand of God. Jesus is in heaven in a human, resurrected body to rule heaven and earth as God's right-hand man. Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, we thank you that even though you sit at the right hand of God you are still mindful of us, and you still love us. We wait for the day when we will see you in heaven. And long for the day when you will return. We pray all this, confident of your protection. Amen.
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