Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them. Jesus’ priestly ministrations are endless and changeless, enabling Him to bring a salvation that lacks nothing. (Hebrews 7:24-25 MSG)
(Hebrews 7:20–28) Jesus’ priesthood supersedes Aaron’s because 1) His priesthood was established by God’s solemn oath, 2) His priesthood is eternal, and 3) He gave Himself as the sacrifice. A key word of the epistle is “better,” used to describe Christ and the benefits of the gospel (1:4; 7:19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40).
Since His birth in Bethlehem by the miracle of the Incarnation, Christ had lived physically on earth. But 40 days after the resurrection, His earthly ministry ceased with His ascension into heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50, 51). To a large extent the ascension was for the benefit of Jesus’ followers. They could no longer expect His physical presence. They must now wait for the promised Holy Spirit through whom the work of Jesus would continue.
The ascension marked the beginning of Christ’s intercession for His followers at the right hand of God. There He makes continual intercession for all believers (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 4:14; 6:20; 7:25). Although Christ is not physically present with His people today, He is no less concerned for them or less active on their behalf. Christians enjoy peace, hope, and security because Christ is their advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1).
The ascension set in motion the coming of the Holy Spirit with His gifts for believers (John 14:16–18, 26; 16:7–15; Acts 2:23; Eph. 4:11, 12). God determined that the presence of Jesus would be replaced by the presence of the Holy Spirit, who could be everywhere at the same time. Jesus’ followers now enjoy the presence of the Spirit and the operation of the Spirit’s gifts through them.
One additional result of the ascension is that Jesus began His heavenly reign at the right hand of the Father (1 Cor. 15:20–28). This reign will last until His Second Coming, when He will return to the earth as the reigning Messiah (Acts 3:20, 21).
Finally, the ascension of Christ is the pledge of His Second Coming: “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). Jesus will return to earth in bodily form just as He ascended into heaven.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. We love and adore You. Lord Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your life on the cross for our sins. Because of You, we can now stand before You as pure, holy, and justified. We also thank You for sending the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. Holy Spirit, we thank You for filling us with love, fruit, gifts and power. We exalt You, our God and King. We praise Your Name forever and ever. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Since His birth in Bethlehem by the miracle of the Incarnation, Christ had lived physically on earth. But 40 days after the resurrection, His earthly ministry ceased with His ascension into heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50, 51). To a large extent the ascension was for the benefit of Jesus’ followers. They could no longer expect His physical presence. They must now wait for the promised Holy Spirit through whom the work of Jesus would continue.
The ascension marked the beginning of Christ’s intercession for His followers at the right hand of God. There He makes continual intercession for all believers (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 4:14; 6:20; 7:25). Although Christ is not physically present with His people today, He is no less concerned for them or less active on their behalf. Christians enjoy peace, hope, and security because Christ is their advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1).
The ascension set in motion the coming of the Holy Spirit with His gifts for believers (John 14:16–18, 26; 16:7–15; Acts 2:23; Eph. 4:11, 12). God determined that the presence of Jesus would be replaced by the presence of the Holy Spirit, who could be everywhere at the same time. Jesus’ followers now enjoy the presence of the Spirit and the operation of the Spirit’s gifts through them.
One additional result of the ascension is that Jesus began His heavenly reign at the right hand of the Father (1 Cor. 15:20–28). This reign will last until His Second Coming, when He will return to the earth as the reigning Messiah (Acts 3:20, 21).
Finally, the ascension of Christ is the pledge of His Second Coming: “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). Jesus will return to earth in bodily form just as He ascended into heaven.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. We love and adore You. Lord Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your life on the cross for our sins. Because of You, we can now stand before You as pure, holy, and justified. We also thank You for sending the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. Holy Spirit, we thank You for filling us with love, fruit, gifts and power. We exalt You, our God and King. We praise Your Name forever and ever. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
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