Introduction
The Ascension of King Jesus is an aspect in history and
theology that is woefully neglected and underemphasized. As Christ
followers we talk often of the death and resurrection of Jesus (1
COR. 15:3-4)-and we should! But when was the last time that you
heard a sermon on the Lord’s Day about the Ascent of the King of
kings and Lord of lords? On the most recent occasion when you
share the life transforming message of the Gospel of Grace, did you
mention anything about the Ascension of our Lord? I must be honest
here-on the instances that I have shared the Gospel with a lost
person-I have made little-if any-mention of our Lord’s Ascension
into heaven!
But dear friend-the historical, visible, and bodily Ascension of
Jesus recorded in Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:9-11 matters-REALLY
matters. It’s not just an afterthought or something that the
theologians are to discuss. No, the Ascent of our King and Lord is
absolutely vital and has huge implications for our lives as Christ
Followers and how we counsel the Sufficient Word to hurting souls
struggling through suffering and sin. But what are these
implications? We will consider a few in this article and then some
more in a forthcoming article.
He Brings Power
First, the Ascension of King Jesus brings about power-more
specifically the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus actually exclaims to
His disciples that it was was to their advantage that He go away, so
that the Holy Spirit would come to them (John 16:7). Our Ascended
King Jesus sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to to be with His people
(JOHN 14:16), to empower them for worldwide mission (ACTS 1:8),
and to transform the lives of Christ Followers to look increasingly
more like their EXALTED LORD (2 COR. 3:18).
But here is the hope … Jesus our Ascended King has sent us
Sufficient Power through the Holy Spirit to help us to put to death
sin and to put on righteousness (Rom. 8:13).
Let’s look briefly on the last benefit of the Spirit’s coming on
this list-our Ascended King has sent us the Spirit to help us look
increasingly more like Him. As we read in 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And
we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into one degree of glory to another. For this comes from
the Lord, who is the Spirit.” So here is my question for you (and for those you are counseling and discipling): Where is growth needed in
your personal sojourn with Jesus? Is it with lack of contentment?
Anger? Jealousy? Anxiety? Lust? Gossip? But here is the hope for
you and those you minister to-Jesus our Ascended King has sent us
Sufficient Power through the Holy Spirit to help us to put to death
sin and to put on righteousness (Rom. 8:13). So take heart dear
saint saved by God’s amazing grace, fix your eyes on our Ascended
Lord and rely on the Spirit’s power in your daily war against sin.
He Brings Blessing
Second, the Ascension of King Jesus bring the blessing of
prayer, more specifically our Lord’s intercessory prayer.
Intercessory prayer is prayer on behalf others. Furthermore, it’s
bringing someone’s needs, struggles, and situations before our
Loving and Sovereign God. And here is the glorious hope for you and
me-Jesus is our Chief and Unique Intercessor. Our exalted and
ascended Lord who is now in heaven seated at the right hand of the
throne of God is interceding for you and me right now as our High
Priest and Advocate. This renowned ministry of intercession is an
aspect of Jesus’ heavenly ministry. As we read in Romans 8:34 “Who
is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the One who died-more than that,
who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is
interceding for us. (cf. Heb. 7:25, 1 John 2:1).
Our Lord’s heavenly ministry of intercessory has huge
implications for our ministry to others. Perhaps someone you are
discipling and counseling is currently going through a trial that
seems unbearable. In the fog of suffering, they feel broken, lonely
and abandoned, like no one cares or is praying for them. This is
where we, as Biblical Counselors who believe the Sufficient Word
has power revive the soul (Psalm 19:7), can show our suffering
brothers and sisters that Jesus our Ascended King and Great High
Priest sympathizes with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15). Furthermore,
you can show them in Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 that King
Jesus is interceding for them right now. He prays that they might be
protected by the Father’s power (John 17:11, NIV), kept from the
evil one (John 17:16), that they would be sanctified through the
truth of the Word (John 17:17), and that they would be with Him in
glory (John 17:24). What an incredible comfort to know that Jesus
our Ascended King is praying for us! In light of this, take time to encourage the struggling saint that one of the ways that God preserves His people through suffering is the intercessory prayers of our Exalted King.
He Brings Hope
Lastly, the truth of our Ascended Lord’s ministry of
intercessory prayer ought to give us great hope as those who
counsel the Sufficient Word. We do not carry the burdens and cares
of our counselees alone. King Jesus is the ultimate counselor and
intercessor. He is the One to whom our counselees need to turn to in
order receive mercy and find grace in their time of need (Heb. 4:16).
Furthermore, as counselors we need help from our Ascended King as
we minister His truth to hurting people. So dear Biblical Counselor,
Jesus prays for you as you lovingly instruct, encourage, and
admonish others using His Living and Active Word.
Hopefully this short article has begun a journey for you to
rejoice in the Ascension of our Lord Jesus and to see its rich benefits
for our lives and ministry. In our next article we will consider how
the Ascension of King Jesus ensures that He goes to prepare a place
for us, and that He reigns with all authority.
~ Pastor Mike DiSanto ~
Tri-State Coalition of Biblical Counseling 
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