IV. WHAT DID JESUS DO?

4. Jesus Ascended to Heaven

Read Acts 1:1-11; 2:32,33; Hebrews 4:14-5:10; 7:23-28; 9:11-15

After all that Jesus had done in obeying his Father and in winning salvation for us, there must have been a great celebration in heaven on his return there. We have a record of that ascension from the point of view of the disciples who watched him go. We also have a prophetic glimpse (Psalm 24:7-9). Beyond that we need to understand what Jesus is now doing in his exalted position.

1. How much time elapsed between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension? (Acts 1:3) What was Jesus doing during this time?

2. What instruction did Jesus give his disciples? (Acts 1:4,5) What would be the result of this? (Acts 1:8)

3. What happened after Jesus said this? (Acts 1:9-11)

4. What was Jesus able to do after he took his place in heaven? (Acts 2:33)

5. What ministry has been given to Jesus now he is in heaven? (Hebrews 4:14)

6. What is Jesus now able to do for us in that ministry? (Hebrews 4:15,16)

7. What is the purpose of the ministry of the high priest? (Hebrews 5:1)

8. In what ways is Jesus different to other high priests who served during Old Testament times? (Hebrews 7:23-27)

9. What is Jesus’ full time occupation now? (Hebrews 7:25)

10. On what basis does Jesus plead with God on our behalf? (Hebrews 9:11-15). What becomes available to us through his intercession (prayer)?

11. Hebrews speaks a lot about the priestly ministry of the ascended Jesus. But there is also passing reference to one other aspect of his ascended position which is important. We have commented on it before. Jesus is described as a priest “in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:10). This mysterious Old Testament character is described in Hebrews 7:1. What was he in addition to being a priest? If Jesus was like him, what does that tell us about the nature of Jesus position?

Because Jesus is able to combine the offices of priest and king, we may be sure that his intercession is not merely making requests on our behalf. He has full authority to make available to his people all the inheritance he has earned for them. Praise him for the riches of your inheritance.