I’m glad He’s gone. Who are you glad that’s gone? Jesus of course! We’ve all had visitors whether for days or a few hours when they finally go home, we are ecstatic with joy. That’s usually because they overstayed their welcome or made our life miserable. This is not the reason we should rejoice because Jesus left. He told His disciples, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you (Joh 16:7). When He said on the cross, “It is finished” that meant He had completed His task on earth. Servants used the word finished to tell their master their assigned work was complete; priests used it referring to an animal they determined was spotless and acceptable for sacrifice; and bankers used the word indicating a debtor had paid what they owed in full. All these applications apply to Jesus’ last words on the cross, “It is finished”. The tense of the word signifies the results of His work would endure forever.
Forty days following the resurrection, on the Mount of Olives after instructing His disciples, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Act 1:9). This marked the conclusion of His earthly ministry and the end of the human limitation He assumed thirty-three years prior. Paul wrote although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself (Phil 2:6, 7). Scholars still debate the full implications of the word for emptied. However, the simplest meaning indicates He laid aside His divine attributes while here on earth. If I can coin a word, at the Ascension Jesus un-emptied Himself and reclaimed the fullness of deity and heavenly glory.
The Ascension confirmed that His work of redemption was successful. Jesus now took on a new role as the Head of the Church and as high priest for Christians. Scripture is silent about the specific details of His re-entry into heaven. The writers of Hebrews does say, He entered the true tabernacle into the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption . . . not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood . . . now to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb 9:12, 24). Then, Jesus did something earthly priest never did—He sat down. No chair existed in the earthly tabernacle or temple, because the priests never completed the work of offering up sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of the people. We have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens (Heb 8:1).
Jesus promised, I will not leave you as orphans (Joh 14:18). I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever (Joh 14:16). He refers to the Holy Spirit as another Helper; translated Advocate, Comforter, Counsellor, Friend in some versions. The word means an individual called to one’s side that consoles and comforts, who encourages, and who intercedes on their behalf as an advocate in court. Ten days after the Ascension the disciples were waiting in Jerusalem as Jesus commanded them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). He would empower them, teach them, guide them, bring to remembrance all that Jesus said, and would convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment—only a few of the things the Holy Spirit does for believers.
Now we have the Helper, the Advocate, the Comforter and one who intercedes living within us here on earth. However, this is not the only Helper or Advocate. John uses the same word in 1 John 2:1. If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven is also a Helper, Advocate, Comforter, and He intercedes for us. Many times my wife and I have travelled hundreds of miles into areas where no form of outside communication existed. We were always encouraged knowing people were praying for us. Yet, if no one prayed, the Holy Spirit was with us interceding and Jesus was turning to the Father interceding. He always lives to make intercession for them (Heb 7:25).
When we knowingly commit sin, or commit sins of omission, sins of ignorance, sins we know nothing about in our lives, and confess our sins, He turns to the Father, “Remember, I paid the debt for that sin.” He is faithful and righteous to forgive us . . . and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). No more sacrifices are necessary on His part or from us because He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Heb 9:12).
I’m glad He’s gone. Yet, I long for His return. Until then I rest in the comfort of the Holy Spirit here on earth, and the comforter of Jesus in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for me.
Sustaining Word for the Week: He did not leave you alone as an orphan. He completed His work and sent the Holy Spirit that He may be with you forever.