He ascended into Heaven

Happy Ascension Day!  Today we celebrate that Jesus, in the words of the Apostle’s Creed,  “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”  It’s interesting how some Christians use this teaching to deny that the Body of Christ can be really present in Holy Communion–after all, His body is in heaven at the right hand of the Father–while Lutherans use this teaching to explain how the Body of Christ can be present in Holy Communion (He now shares the attributes of Godhead, such as omnipresence).

Here, though, is an ancient Christian holiday that has not become secularized.  What do you say is the true meaning of Ascension Day?

From Pastor Joshua Scheer, Steadfast Lutherans » The Right Hand of God.

This week we celebrate that our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. Our creeds makes specific mention of this and then also mention the curious phrase “right hand of God”. Does that mean that Jesus is sitting next to the Father at His right side? Some Christians have used the phrase to indicate Jesus somewhat being “trapped” in heaven (Calvinists), but as Lutherans we go to the Scriptures to learn about what that phrase “right hand of God” means.

Exodus 15:6 describes the right hand of the Lord: Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. Power, victory. The message of Easter continues through the Ascension of our Lord. Jesus is Almighty, glorious in power.

That is just the tip of a very large iceberg. When we go into the Psalms and see the phrase “right hand” used we see that God’s right hand upholds, strengthens, defends, exalts. Also there are some very similar things about Jesus that are said about the right hand of God. The right hand saves (Ps. 98:1). In Psalm 48:10 the Scriptures declare that the right hand is filled with righteousness. That is Jesus, filled with righteousness. All of what we have celebrated as a congregation through Lent and Easter has to do with Jesus’ work to fulfill all righteousness, doing every perfectly and laying down His life, so that He can give that righteousness to others. That means you.