by Chris Reeves
Synopsis: History is littered with fallen heroes and forgotten martyrs; in contrast, Jesus Christ is now exalted at God’s right hand—triumphant and victorious.
The apostle Paul gave Timothy a short, but meaningful command in 2 Timothy 2:8: “Remember Jesus Christ. . .” Sometimes the most profound statements of Scripture can be the shortest. You would think that every Christian would remember Jesus Christ; yet Paul commands Timothy to do it. It is so important to remember Jesus Christ. It is easy to forget him and his words for us today. In our fast-paced world of work, school, cell phones, computers, social media, and virtual meetings, we need to slow down and remember Jesus Christ.
The “remember Jesus Christ” of Paul’s command does not suggest age or infirmity (i.e., “You are getting old and forgetful, so you need to remember.”). Timothy was not old and forgetful. Rather, the apostle is saying, “You need to pay attention and focus on the important truths of life.” Paul wanted Timothy to carry on the work of an evangelist and pay attention and focus on Jesus Christ as he did his work. Today, there are conflicting voices in society, and we need to focus on the true words of Jesus Christ. There are distracting activities and we need to focus on the priorities of Jesus Christ. There are opposing desires (“I think. . .” “I feel. . .” “I want. . .”) and we need to focus on the wishes of Jesus Christ. In these changing and unsettled times, we need to focus on the fixed principles of Jesus Christ.
Each week, many Christians rightly remember the death of Jesus in the memorial of the Lord’s supper. Yet, there is so much more to remembering Jesus than remembering his death. We should also remember Jesus’s ascension into heaven and his present exaltation. In this article, I want to examine the present exalted status of Jesus and what it means for us today. As we run the Christian race, we are to be looking to Jesus, who is presently seated “at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
Jesus alluded to His ascension back into heaven early in His ministry (John 6:62), at the end of His ministry (John 14:12; 16:10, 28; 17:11), and during His post-resurrection appearances (John 20:17). He came from the Father and was going back to the Father. When Jesus finally did ascend up into heaven, Luke records that the apostles returned to Jerusalem with “great joy” (Luke 24:50-53). Why did they have “great joy”? You would think they would have been depressed, despondent, and downhearted that Jesus was gone. Yet, they were happy! They apparently knew some truths about His ascension and exaltation that made them rejoice. We need to know the same.
The ascension of Christ completes His exaltation (Acts 2:33; 5:31) and glorification (John 17:5; 1 Tim. 3:16). When Jesus ascended, He “passed through the heavens” (Heb. 4:14) and has been “made higher than the heavens” (Heb. 7:26). He is now exalted and glorified (honored) because He is now “seated on the right hand of God” which is a place of honor (Col. 3:1). How did the ascended Jesus appear to Stephen? He saw “the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56). How did the ascended Jesus appear to Saul? He saw “a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun” and heard the voice of Jesus (Acts 26:13-16; see also Acts 18:9-10). How did the ascended Jesus appear to John? He saw “one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle” (Rev. 1:12-18; 5:5-12; etc.). These inspired observers saw an exalted and glorified Christ.
What does the ascension of Jesus show? First, it shows that Jesus is different. He is not from this world like the rest of us are (John 3:13, 31-36; 6:38, 42). He came from heaven and returned to heaven. No one else has ever done this. Do we believe that Jesus is different? We should! Second, it shows that Jesus is still working. He is not idle or retired. Jesus maintains an ongoing heavenly ministry. This ministry started with Him being with His apostles on their great commission (Matt. 28:20; Mark 16:19-20) and it continues with us today. Let’s consider now and remember what Jesus did, is doing, and will do, as it relates to His ascension and exaltation.
We need to remember what Jesus did in the past when He was exalted. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles when He ascended. Jesus said, “but if I go, I will send him unto you (John 16:7; see also Luke 24:49; John 15:26; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4, 33). The sending of the Holy Spirit allowed the apostles to be guided into all the truth and to verify that truth with miracles. Today, we are the recipients of this body of truth as it is contained in the New Testament. Are we reading and obeying this body of truth?
Paul wrote that Jesus “gave gifts unto men” when He ascended (Eph. 4:7-11; see Ps. 68:18). Specifically, the “gifts” were in the form of men who occupy offices of service (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) that were given to the New Testament church to reveal the truth, proclaim the truth, and guard the truth. These “gifts” were given “for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). Thanks to Jesus, we still have evangelists, pastors, and teachers to help us be spiritually complete in our work and edification.
We also need to remember what Jesus is doing in the present while He is exalted. Paul wrote that He “is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Rom. 8:34). Our Lord is currently interceding as our “High Priest” (Heb. 3:1; 4:14-16; 7:25; 8:1-2; 9:24) and our “Advocate” (1 John 2:1-2). Are we patiently praying and waiting for the Lord’s answer?
Additionally, the Lord Jesus Christ is presently ruling and reigning at the right hand of God with all authority over the nations (Acts 2:33-36 [Ps. 110:1]; Eph. 1:19-22; Heb. 1:3-4; 10:12-13; 21; Rev. 1:5; 11:15). Peter wrote that Jesus “is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him” (1 Pet. 3:22; see also Mark 16:19). The right hand of God is the place of authoritative “power” (Matt. 26:64). Are we submitting to Jesus’s rule and reign as the “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Rev. 17:14; 19:16)? Yes, Jesus is our Savior. He is the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Yet, He is also Lord. Jesus is the “Lion that is of the tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5). He is royalty and ruler, and as such, we must remember to bow before him daily. Because Jesus is presently exalted at God’s right hand, “every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:9-10). This bowing and confessing should be reverently done by all now!
Finally, we need to remember what Jesus will do in the future because He is exalted. He is presently preparing heaven for the saved (John 14:2) and will return from heaven in a visible form for all to see. He will not be gone forever. Jesus is going to return to judge the world and take His saints home to be with Him (Acts 1:9-11; 3:20-21). Are we ready for His return? Will we repent and be baptized for the remission of our sins? Will we be spending eternity in heaven with Jesus? Friends, remember the exaltation of Jesus Christ!
