FRIDAY July 22, 2022

The Place of Prominence

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
Mark 16:19

Jesus’ disciples were concerned for their Master; was He hungry and in need of something to eat? Jesus used this opportunity to tell them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). When among His disciples, He often told them about His work: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

At times, Jesus’ disciples seemed to ignore Him when He spoke about His death. They changed the subject of death and spoke about living. On one occasion, they changed the subject to a dispute as to which of them would be considered to be the greatest (Luke 22:24-30).

In Luke 19:10, Jesus gave the reason for His coming: “...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus knew the will of God. He pursued sinners who were spiritually lost. He knew the price He would pay to give them eternal life:

“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:39-40).

On the Cross, while in agony, He declared with a loud voice: “It is finished!” (John 19:30). What was finished? Jesus completed the work God had given Him to do––the redemption of mankind. The ransom price of their salvation was paid with His blood (1 Peter 1:18-19).

When Jesus died, it was a shock to His disciples––they fled. They were astonished when He rose again. His ascension reunited Him with His Father. He sat down at the right hand of God––a place of prominence as Jesus prayed in John 17:5: “O Father, glorify Me with Yourself, with the glory which I had before the world was.”

At His Ascension our Lord entered Heaven, and keeps the door for humanity to enter.
~Oswald Chambers~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!