Jesus Enthroned
Mark’s Gospel, recording the event of the Ascension, says this: “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19 NIV)
This is the enduring picture of the ascended Christ - him sitting at the right hand of the Father. We see this all over the New Testament:
- When Stephen the disciple was stoned to death by the Jews for believing in Jesus, we read: “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55 NIV)
- The writer to the Hebrews said it a few times of Jesus, like in ch12 where he describes: “Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)
- Peter talking about the atoning work Jesus did, said “It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” (1 Peter 3:21–22 NIV)
- Paul said it many times, including this amazing verse in Romans 8: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34 NIV)
Jesus Reigns Now
Jesus is on the throne, at the right hand of the Father, right now. His leaving glorified Him in an amazing way. He took His rightful place of the throne of the universe.
This picture of Jesus at the right hand of the Father is so important! It shows us that Jesus is in a place of authority and power. And I believe that many Christians forget this. Many Christians have this idea that this is Satan’s world. The devil is in control, and so things are going to just get worse and worse and worse and this world is going to just fall apart and then Jesus will come and fix it all at the end and be crowned King of kings at the end only.
But friends! Jesus is in a place of authority already. Jesus is already reigning. He is sitting at the right hand of God “with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him” as Peter said.
Empowered to Act
I don’t believe that this world is doomed because Satan is just going to run amok. Yes, Satan is still at work in the world, but Christ has power over him and we as His filled followers can resist evil and work for good in this world in Jesus’ name.
Jesus’ ascension was not Him scurrying off to leave the world to go to pieces until He came back. No! He left here to take His place on the throne, and to empower His people to go into the world and bring healing, and freedom, and goodness to all in His name and with His authority.
Let’s not cower in our corners, thinking that this world is Satan’s, when the New Testament is clear that Jesus IS on the throne! Let’s boldly take His grace into the world that needs it, knowing that He has all the authority and He reigns from God’s right hand.
