The Ascension of Jesus allows for the intercession of Jesus. His return, in the presence of God the Father, is what activates His work of atonement on the cross. Jesus’ blood applied is what substantiates His advocacy for sinners like us.
The Ascension of Jesus means:
- Jesus receives and sends the gift of the Holy Spirit – Jn 15:26; Ac 2:33
- Jesus is now ruling at God’s right hand – Ac 5:31; 1 Pe 3:22
- Jesus is waiting to return to the earth in victory – He 10:12-13
- Jesus is appointed head of the church – Ep 1:22; Co 1:18
- Jesus is universally accessible; filling the earth – Ep 1:23; 4:10
- Jesus is empowering His people to do good works – Jn 14:12
- Jesus will come again to judge the living and dead – Mt 26:64; Jn 14:3; Ac 1:11; 2 Ti 4:1
- Jesus is interceding for you – Ro 8:38; He 7:25
Observations & Conclusions:
- Jesus’ intercession is the accomplishment of His atonement
- Jesus’ intercession is for those who draw near to Him: His elect
- Jesus’ intercession anchors our confidence of God’s loving and eternal rescue
Application:
- Glorify Jesus
- Draw near to Jesus
- Live with no fear of condemnation
Hebrews 9:24-28
“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
1 Timothy 2:3-6a
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.”
Hebrews 7:25 NASB
“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
John 10:27-29
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
1 John 2:1
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
Hebrews 10:19-23
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”