Return to Heaven
Ask: Who would wear these hats?
Read: Luke 24:50-51; Mark 16:19
We don’t usually talk very much about Jesus going back to heaven. He had done so many amazing and good things while he was here, like healing and restoring people who were sick and calming raging storms. He loved people and showed them great compassion. He helped us to see and know God. And just before this he died and came back to life on the third day. It seemed like Jesus had a good thing going, right? Why leave?
In Mark’s telling of this story, he uses a phrase that I think helps us understand one important reason Jesus went back. Mark writes, “The Lord Jesus…sat down at the right hand of God.” This is a picture of Jesus sitting on the throne with God (Revelation 3:21). No one gets to sit on a king’s throne…unless he is the king! Jesus is good, he is our friend and he is our rescuer. Those are all true of Jesus. But did you know that he is also King? When Jesus ascended, He was declared to be king because he was obedient to God and died for our sin (Philippians 3:8-11). And he is not just king over a little country on earth, but king over the entire universe.
One day Jesus will return and as king he will command that all things become new. All of the bad things will be undone. There will be no more sin, pain or death, just life, joy and celebration. We will get to see Jesus face to face in a place that he has prepared. And he will be king forever.
Let’s be thankful Jesus is king!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus is king. We look forward to seeing him face-to-face. Amen.