On the last Sunday of this month we will remember and celebrate Christ’s glorious ascension back to the Father. Ponder Luke 24:50-53 -
And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Note what disciples do in vs. 52-53. Would that be descriptive of us?
The text says that Jesus “was carried up into heaven.” He didn’t just vanish or disappear. He went somewhere. He went to a place, a destination. He went to real location.
What did Jesus tell the disciples in John 14:3? I’m paraphrasing: “I’m going to prepare a place for you; and I’m going to come and get you that you may be there also.”
It’s impossible to know what Jesus is doing in this regard, since it is impossible for us to adequately visualize heaven. We just know He is doing it, because he said it and we believe him and trust Him! He is getting our final home ready! He is preparing the final, eternal dwelling place for His family. He is personally preparing rooms in the Father’s house for each one of His elect brothers and sisters. Think about it!
Michael Horton, in his book. The Gospel Commission, writes this:
“We know that Zion is a real destination because Jesus Christ has already arrived there. It was he who promised that he would fulfill all righteousness and lead His people safely through the raging waters of death to the other side in resurrection splendor. His resurrection is not a myth; it’s a historical fact, with evidence that is available for public scrutiny. Therefore, since our head has already arrived in regal splendor, announcing His conquest, with liberated hosts in his train, we are assured that we as His body will arrive in due course.”
As believers, we must continue to learn to set our affections on heavenly things, as Scripture commands. We must see and understand that what God is doing in our lives is designed to a great extent to fit us for heaven. As has been said, “Jesus prepares our home; the Holy Spirit prepares us for it.”
We need to realize, like Abraham, the truth of Hebrews 13:14: “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” We must hear Paul reminding us in Philippians 3:20-21: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject all things to Himself.”
Are our minds fixed on heaven? Do our hearts long for the glory of heaven?
Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us to live with Him forever. That’s what makes heaven so precious for the Christian. Our eternity will be an eternity in the presence of Christ, sharing rich and sweet fellowship with the Lamb of God personally, and living endlessly in the light of His glory and grace. As Charles Spurgeon said:
“Oh, to think of heaven without Christ! It is the same as thinking of hell … There cannot be a heaven without Christ. He is the sum total of bliss, the fountain from which heaven flows, the element of which heaven is composed. Christ is heaven and heaven is Christ.”
I pray I will see you all there! What an eternal day of rejoicing it will be!
Pressing on with you, with our eyes fixed on Jesus,
Pastor Butch
