Larger Catechism – Day 27 of Lent
Question 53: How
was Christ exalted in his ascension?
Answer: Christ’s exaltation in his ascension began after his
resurrection when he appeared to the apostles a number of times, talked to them
about the kingdom of God, and commissioned them to preach the gospel to all
nations. Forty days after his resurrection, in our human nature and as our
head, he visibly went up into the highest heavens, triumphing over enemies. There
he receives gifts for men, raises our minds, and prepares a place for us, where
he himself is and shall continue to be until his second coming at the end of
the world.
It is hard for me to wrap my brain around what it might have
been like for Christ’s first disciples following the resurrection. Seeing Jesus in the upper room on the day of
the resurrection would have been, well, strange and wonderful. Then they saw him again, and again. Forty days following the resurrection they
watched him ascend into heaven after giving them (and us) the calling for our
lives—the Great Commission. Just think,
they thought they had lost Jesus on the cross, to find him risen on Easter and
then to watch him leave (well, earthly speaking) in the ascension. Talk about a roller coaster ride.
The catechism goes on to talk about Christ preparing a place for
us and that he will return. Our eternal home.
The place where we will ultimately reside.
It is easy for us to jump to the thoughts of the ultimate
victory we have in Christ. While that
victory is truth, we must not forget the commissioning he gave to his disciples
to preach the gospel to all nations—that commissioning has been passed on to
us. We have a high calling—to spread the
good news found only in Jesus. We are
called to take the message of life to a world that is dying. We are called to make the case for Christ.
Friends, we have no idea when Christ will return. He could return today, tomorrow, next year or
next century. We need to live each day
as if it is the last day we have before Jesus’ return. Live for Christ. Talk to people about Christ. Walk with Christ. Share the gospel. Serve Christ Jesus.
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