Where did Jesus go that day after his disciples lost sight of him, when he ascended into the clouds? His Father took him up to heaven, to the highest throne, and immediately seated him in the place of honor: “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool’” (Ps. 110:1).
Descent and ascent are the bookends of Jesus’ saving work on earth. Descent marked the beginning, when he stepped down into the tiny darkness of Mary’s womb to enter humanity. He descended, not just from the glory and power of heaven, but to the utter helplessness of an infant who couldn’t even bring his hand to his mouth. He continued to descend by becoming a servant to all who came to him for help, until he finally descended into death and was laid in a tomb.
Having finished the work he came to do; Jesus began his return trip to heaven. His ascent began with his resurrection and continued forty days later as he rose from the earth into the clouds. This moment marked not only the end of his earthly ministry, but the beginning of his heavenly service on our behalf.
Jesus’s disciples didn’t see his whole journey because God had shielded their eyes from a glory they weren’t ready to behold. But they knew about the throne. The Scriptures had told them about the highest throne of all. John Calvin, in an Ascension Day sermon, preached about it this way, “But although our Lord had complete power from eternity, we do not say that he took his seat at God’s right hand until we first say that he ascended into heaven. He thus had universal supremacy after his ascension”.
Ultimate power is a scary tool in the wrong hands. While the nations rage, it’s hard for us to imagine that kind of ultimate power used for good. But Jesus ascended to a throne that is not only high, but holy. The LORD himself declared it so, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (Ps. 2:6).
A Throne of Judgment
I’ve watched a lot of crime dramas. The judge’s bench is a high, protected position. Lawyers must ask permission to approach the bench. The accused person may not even do that. The judge has a formidable presence over the courtroom, robed and gaveled, conducting the affairs of the court with formality and precision. He or she is not there to chat, but to make rulings.
But what about our seated judge in heaven? “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3b). The one who sits is marked by scars on his hands, feet, and side. This man has suffered. These aren’t merely the marks made by his crucifixion, these are the very wounds by which he paid for our sins. Jesus has taken the evidence of his saving work up to the Heavenly Supreme Court. When our conscience troubles us, bringing our many sins before the throne of God, Jesus is our legal defense, presenting the full payment for our crimes through his glorified wounds.
The punishment we deserve has already been borne by another. Those who have believed in his work are given mercy beyond belief. Not just a stay of execution, but life in its fullness forever. The throne of judgment has been transformed into a throne of grace.
The Throne of Grace
Because we know we’re guilty, we don’t dare come before God to plead our own case. But once we are pronounced “not guilty” because of the redeeming blood of Christ, we can come freely to our Father with every need. That’s why the author of Hebrews invites us to this throne: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
We need these words to encourage us because our mind is filled with reasons why we can’t come to God when we need him. Take temptation, for example. We each tend to be tempted in a specific area that corresponds to our personal weakness or sinful patterns. But because we’ve been a Christian for two or 20 or 60 years, we think we shouldn’t be so tempt able. The very feeling of being tempted tempts us to quit!
You and I have all experienced it. We yell at our kids, again. We resist cravings, then eventually give in to them again. We hate our weakness enough to throw away the items that tempt us, making renewed vows to change, but, often, we know it won’t last. The sin-repentance-sin again cycle can start to feel like an endless feedback loop. How can we face our Lord now?
When we remember he sits on the throne of grace, we are to come before Jesus with confidence, not shame. Our Savior already knows where we are in that sin cycle. He’s already paid its price. And he’s already rising from his throne to pray for us.
A Throne of Joy
Jesus’ glorious throne is also a throne of joy. In Psalm 45:6–7, David paints this picture of the Lord as a joyful monarch:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
Our ascended Savior is not just glorious in power, he is filled with joy as he saves people from every tribe and tongue and nation. There is a joyful King occupying the highest throne today. The writer of Hebrews tells us his name is Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). Can you imagine this throne of glory to be the holy place of highest joy? Jubilant celebration?
In joyful finality, Jesus has sat down. His work of redemption is finished now that he has presented his atoning work in heaven. No longer fighting the world, the flesh, and the devil, he rests. But what about us? Will we ever get the chance to rest?
Yes. This throne and this joy are the overflow of our Ascended King. It is here that we find our rest in him.
Footnotes
John Calvin, Crucified and Risen, “A Sermon on the Ascension,”Banner of Truth Trust, 2020, p. 163.
