May 3 – LD 18, Day 4: Christ Ascended for Our Advantage

John 14:1-4, “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”

The final question of this Lord’s Day directs our attention to the advantage of Christ’s ascension.

We need to meditate on this, otherwise Christ’s leaving us might bring sorrow and despair. The time of our departure is always filled with tension. This is true in the ordinary every day experiences of leaving one another for a time. Do you like to say good-bye to your family and friends? If you are going to leave for a pleasant holiday, that is one thing. If you are leaving for an overseas education or a work assignment which is going to be for quite a long time, you feel the tug of separation and the fear of the unknown. I suppose the disciples of Jesus had some of this when they stood looking heavenward after Jesus ascended into heaven. Now they are alone, where did He go? Would they ever see Him again?

At such moments, understanding the reason for departure and the advantages which such a departure will bring to your life makes saying good-bye a bit easier.

This pertains to the ascension of Jesus into heaven as well. Jesus explained this to them ahead of time in order to prepare them. This is the message quoted above from John 14. He made it plain He was going to the Father Who has a house of many mansions. He left them on earth in order that He might prepare a place for them to dwell in this Father’s house. When this place is prepared, He will come to receive them unto Himself so they can be with Him.

Does this not make it a bit easier to accept His departure into heaven?

Heaven now becomes the focal point of our pilgrimage through this world.

We look to Jesus Who is the author and finisher of our faith. This Jesus is in heaven. He blesses us from heaven, He draws us into heaven.