The Beneficial Departure

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash.

What good comes out of Jesus’ departure from earth to heaven after the resurrection? Is it possible that endless good has come from Jesus leaving?

At the ascension of Jesus, he led his disciples out as far as Bethany, “and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” (Luke 24:50-53, ESV).

It is in this departure of Jesus that Jesus ascends to his heavenly throne, begins his preparation to make a place for us and to bring us to himself (John 14:1-6), and he begins his preparation to send the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2).

Jesus had to leave heavenly glory, and descend from his heavenly throne, in order to come here, to live as one of us, to die the death we deserve, to resurrect, and to ascend to glory, in order to send us his Holy Spirit and to prepare a place for us with him.

Jesus’ leaving, his ascension, is absolutely necessary for the completion of his plan of salvation and to give us all the benefits that he promised.

As Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7, BSB).

May we see the blessings of Jesus’ departure and enjoy the benefits of his ascension to his heavenly throne.

A Collect for Ascension Day: “Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven: May our hearts and minds also there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

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Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash.