“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
Today is Ascension Day, that day in which believers traditionally remember a very important event in the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, His ascension into heaven and His exaltation to the right hand of God the Father.
As God the Son, Jesus possessed all the power and glory of the almighty and eternal God. Yet, when He came into this world as a man that He might take our place under God’s law and then bear the guilt and punishment for all our sins upon the cross, He did not always and fully make use of those divine attributes which are and were His as the very Son of God – God Himself in human flesh.
It was no false claim or robbery on His part when Jesus claimed to be God Himself. He was not guilty of blasphemy when He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). Yet, Jesus lived humbly as a man that He might take our place and suffer and die for your sins, my sins, and the sins of all mankind.
Jesus, God the Son in human flesh, “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
But having suffered and died for the sins of the world and winning salvation for all people, Jesus was also exalted. He was raised up from the dead and, after appearing to His disciples over a period of 40 days, He ascended into heaven and was exalted to the right hand of God the Father – a position of power and glory by which He rules over and fills all things. The man Christ Jesus was lifted up in heavenly glory and exalted.
As the Bible says, “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
God “raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:20-23).
When Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples could see Him no more, but He was still with them as He promised when He said to them, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
The right hand of God the Father is not some place far above the skies; it is a position of power and glory. He is exalted. Jesus is present everywhere. Jesus has all power in heaven and in earth. Jesus is over all!
That makes the event we remember on this day of utmost importance to all of us, for Jesus, our Savior who suffered and died for our sins and rose again, is now ruling over all for our good – to build His Church and to preserve and keep us in His kingdom. He is with each of us always and everywhere. He conquered Satan on the cross and now is spoiling the kingdom of the old evil foe and bring believers into His own eternal kingdom to share in His glory.
We may not see Him now, but He is with us and for us. And, of course, as the angel said on that first Ascension Day, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
We shall see Him soon, coming on the clouds of glory (cf. Revelation 1:7), and then we and all who have placed our hope in His name will share in His everlasting glory!
O dear and exalted Jesus, graciously keep and preserve us in the true faith until that Day when we see with our own eyes Your everlasting glory. Amen.
[Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]