Following Jesus’ resurrection, one might think that no more prophecies would exist for Jesus to fulfill. Well, while that might be a thought someone could have, and while there were prophecies that we could have covered that we didn’t, over the next several episodes, I’ve saved some of the most powerful prophecies that Jesus’ ministry fulfilled.
However, to get to that point in moving forward through Jesus’ ministry, let’s turn our attention back onto one of the psalms in the Old Testament, and look closely at what it describes about the upcoming Messiah.
Our Old Testament passage is found in the book of Psalms, number 24, and we will read it using the New American Standard Bible translation. Starting in verse 1, David, the author of this psalm, writes:
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
And who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
8 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah.
In this psalm, I see two distinctly different parts. In the first half of this psalm, we find a description of God’s righteous people living within God’s creation. While this could represent humanity in a fallen, sinful world, I suspect that David may be painting a picture of God’s people, who He has redeemed out of sin, living in a world after sin.
In the second half of this psalm, we see God enter His city triumphantly, like He has just returned from battle victorious. Similar to how the first half could be understood in different ways, I could understand the logic someone could use to frame this psalm describing Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on the donkey during the week leading up to His crucifixion. However, while Jesus did ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, I am doubtful that this entrance is what is described in this psalm, if for no other reason that Jesus’ trip into Jerusalem on a donkey was not because He had triumphed from anything.
Instead, I wouldn’t be surprised if at least one valid way of understanding this psalm is describing Jesus’ return into the heavenly Jerusalem following His return to Heaven. After the resurrection and His ascension, when Jesus entered the heavenly Jerusalem, there would not be any question in anyone’s mind about whether He was returning victorious. When Jesus returned to Heaven, He returned victorious, having defeated Satan, sin, and death.
Looking at the New Testament, specifically in the gospels, we find a brief picture of Jesus’ ascension in Luke’s gospel. In Luke, chapter 24, starting in verse 50, Luke writes:
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God.
In an amazing way, Luke describes how the disciples return to the earthly Jerusalem following Jesus’ ascension and as Jesus was returning to the heavenly Jerusalem. While the disciples did not receive any fanfare or glory when walking through the gates of the earthly Jerusalem, I suspect that the reception Jesus received in heaven would have been a little different. I would be surprised if there was not some level of celebration for Jesus who was returning victorious.
In Mark’s gospel, as part of the longer conclusion to this gospel, we see another brief description of Jesus ascending to Heaven. In Mark, chapter 16, starting in verse 19, we read:
19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.
While Jesus’ resurrection marks a great foreshadowing of the resurrection of God’s people at the end of time, and as a powerful assurance that we don’t have any reason to fear death, Jesus’ ascension and acceptance into Heaven also contains a powerful foreshadowed theme worth remembering.
This truth teaches and challenges us with the promise that since Jesus returned to heaven, we can know and trust that Jesus is able to take us there to be with Him. While this idea is not a direct focus in our year of prophecy, Matthew’s gospel contains a strange, unique detail that when Jesus died and was resurrected, many righteous people from the past returned to life. For reference, this can be found in Matthew, chapter 27, verses 52 and 53. I suspect that when Jesus ascended to heaven, these people who were also raised from the dead ascended to heaven with Him.
However, while the conclusion to Mark’s gospel is challenging to some people, and while some people are quick to discount it as not being part of the oldest group of manuscripts, another detail in this conclusion is present, and it is worth paying attention to.
In Mark’s conclusion, we read the idea that when Jesus was “was received up into heaven”, He “sat down at the right hand of God.” While there are problematic details included in Mark’s longer conclusion, which we’ve covered in previous episodes, Jesus being seated at God’s right hand is incredibly significant. However, I’m going to save this piece of our discussion for our next episode.
Before wrapping up this episode, let’s together remember that Jesus’ ascension into heaven is a promise we can claim when this world seems to be crazy. Let’s remember Jesus’ promise to return. Remember that Jesus’ goal is not to give us a comfortable life in a sinful world. Instead, it is to prepare a place for us to live forever in a sinless, perfectly recreated New Heaven and New Earth. When we ally with Jesus, we are assured of a world that is much better than the one we live in, and a world that will ultimately last forever.
As we come to the end of another podcast episode, here are the challenges I will leave you with:
As I always open by challenging you, intentionally seek God first in your life. Look to Jesus for hope, assurance, and peace regarding everything happening in the world today, and remember that when we have allied our lives with His, He is preparing a place for us in a world where there won’t be any of the pain, disease, craziness, death, and sin that defines our current world. When we have allied our lives with Jesus, He invites us into God’s kingdom that lasts forever.
Also, as I always challenge you in one way or another, continue to pray and study the Bible for yourself to grow personally closer to God each and every day. God wants a relationship with you, and the relationship God wants with you will not have anyone other than Jesus in the middle of it. Jesus came to bridge the gap between heaven and earth, and because of this, don’t let anyone get in between you and Jesus.
And as I end every set of challenges by saying in one way or another, never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or abandon where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!