The Sunday before Ascension: May 5, 2024

Holy Trinity Church – Tom Mount

 

Scripture reading: Eph 1:18-21; 2:4-7

At his ascension, Jesus was invested as High Priest

“11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are to come, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”

– Hebrews 9:11-12

  • See also Heb 4:14-16; 10:11-14.
  • What function did the high priest serve under the Old Covenant?
  • What functions does Jesus serve now as our high priest?
    • He teaches and corrects us (cf. Rev 3:19-20)
    • He hears our confessions and forgives and cleanses us (1 Jn 1:9)
    • He intercedes for us (Rom 8:34)
    • He sympathizes with, comforts and heals us (Heb 4:15-16)
  • His priesthood, unlike Aaron’s, is eternal: it is analogous to Melchizedek’s, the priest-king of El Elyon (See Gen 14:17-20; Ps 110:4; Heb 6:20b).

At his ascension, Jesus was coronated high King over all

“13 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

– Daniel 7:13-14

  • Two visions of Jesus’ royal coronation (Dan 7:13-14; Rev 5:1-14), two coronation hymns (Pss 2, 110) and three key NT descriptions (Eph 1:18-23; Phil 2:5-11; Heb 2:5-9).
  • If Jesus is reigning sovereignly in heaven right now, why is the world so messed up?
  • How does Jesus accomplish his royal will on earth now?
  • Jesus is incrementally extending his dominion throughout the earth. He is dispossessing Satan and reasserting the rule of obedient humans over the world. Through his life, death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus severely limited Satan’s power: Satan is now “bound” (Mark 3:23-27), “cast out” (Jn 12:31: Rev 12:7-17) and prevented from deceiving the nations into a premature Armageddon (Rev 20:1-3, 7-10). Satan is still active and powerful, but Jesus is infinitely more so (1 Ptr 5:8 yet 1 Jn 4:4).
  • We await just one final act in the redemptive drama (Matt 24:30-31; 25:31ff.; 2 Thess 1:6-10; 2 Thess 1:6-10; Rev 19:11-21; 20:11-15).

At Pentecost Jesus conferred his royal priestly authority on Christians

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

– 1 Peter 2:9-10

  • Because we are organically joined to Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Jn 15:1-8; 17:20-23), what happens to Jesus happens to us (Rom 6:3-4; Col 3:1-4).
  • Because you are part of this “royal priesthood,” you have kingly authority to extend his rule on earth through your actions and you have priestly authority to minister God’s truth and grace to others.
  • Pentecost was the defining event. This was the Church’s baptism and anointing (see Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-47).
  • How do we exercise our “royal priesthood?” Two ways: 1) Through our prayers (2 Cor 10:3-5). Iain Duguid: “Prayer is the revolutionary activity by which weak, mortal creatures take our stand in the great cosmic battle and do our part to move heaven and earth towards God’s final victory.” 2) Through our “good works” (Eph 2:10). Anon.: “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

Takeaways

  1. Today, decide you are going to start living out your royal/priestly authority if you’re not already doing it.
  2. Prepare yourself for blowback from the dark powers and from misled and evil people. Satan hates you and lots of people will hate and persecute you.
  3. Stand strong. Don’t give up. When you stumble, get up again (Prov 24:16; cf. 1 John 1:9).