Devotional #49

Question 49. Of what advantage to us is Christ’s ascension into heaven?

Answer: First, that He is our advocate in the presence of His Father in heaven (a); secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that He, as the head, will also take up to Himself, us, His members (b); thirdly, that He sends us His Spirit as an earnest (c), by whose power we “seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and not things on earth.” (d)

(a) 1 John 2.1: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

(b) John 14.2: In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Ephesians 2.6: And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

(c) John 14.16: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever

John 16.7: Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

2 Corinthians 1.22: and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

(d) Colossians 3.1: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Philippians 3.14: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

For your personal reflection:
It’s an incomprehensible thought, but a human being is now in charge of the universe, a wonderful guarantee that our future is never hopeless.

How does Christ’s place at the right hand of the Father give you comfort?

What is Christ doing from His exalted position?