Episode 14: Seated at the Right Hand of the Father | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
The Ascension and Enthronement of Christ: A Kingdom Beyond Our Imagination
As we continue our journey through the Apostles' Creed, we come to a powerful and profound part of Christian doctrine: the ascension and enthronement of Jesus Christ. The Creed affirms that Jesus ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father. What does this mean for us as believers? Let's dive into this incredible event and how it impacts our lives today.
The Promise Fulfilled: Jesus' Ascension and Enthronement
When we reflect on the ascension of Christ, we remember that He didn’t simply leave His disciples behind in sorrow. He had told them that His departure was necessary for their good. Imagine being there with the disciples, watching Jesus—who had been with them through thick and thin—ascend into heaven. It must have been a mixture of emotions, but as we read in Luke 24, something remarkable happens: "They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy."
How could they be joyful when they were witnessing His departure? It’s because they understood something we often miss. Jesus had ascended to the right hand of the Father, a place of power and authority. This moment was not a goodbye but a fulfillment of God’s promises—a step toward the coming of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church. The disciples were witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in the Kingdom of God, where Jesus would rule with ultimate authority, as prophesied.
Seated at the Right Hand: The King Who Reigns
The Scriptures tell us that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, a position of unparalleled honor. In Ephesians 1, Paul beautifully captures this: “When the Father exerted Christ, he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion… God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body.”
To be seated at the right hand of the Father is to have complete authority and dominion over all creation—everything in heaven and on earth is under His rule. This means that Jesus isn’t just a distant figure from history. He is actively reigning, overseeing everything that happens in our lives and in the world.
One of the most powerful images of Jesus in this position is found in the story of Stephen, as he was being stoned in Acts 7. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Jesus, our High Priest, is not just seated in glory; He is standing in readiness, actively interceding for us. He knows our struggles, our pain, and our hopes. And from His exalted position, He mediates on our behalf.
The Hope We Have in Christ’s Ascension
The ascension of Jesus gives us more than just theological knowledge—it offers us hope. Because Jesus has ascended and is enthroned at the right hand of the Father, He is there as our mediator. Hebrews 4:15-16 reminds us that Jesus understands our weaknesses and temptations because He lived as we live, and He intercedes for us. The fact that He sympathizes with us in our trials is not just comforting; it’s the foundation of our confidence in prayer and in our walk with God.
Moreover, as we live our lives with the awareness that Jesus is actively involved in our story, we can find strength to endure and joy in the midst of hardship. He is not a distant ruler but a compassionate High Priest who is for us, not against us. And one day, we will see Him face to face, hearing those precious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
In the midst of life's struggles and the challenges of our world, we hold onto the truth that Christ is seated on the throne, reigning over all. His promises are sure, and His kingdom will never end. This is the hope we celebrate as we affirm the truth of the Apostles' Creed.
