Ascension of Christ
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man. He declares himself glorified in those who believe on him. The
church, in his name, is to carry to glorious perfection the work which
he has commenced; and when that church shall be finally ransomed
in the Paradise of God, he will look upon the travail of his soul and
be satisfied. Through all eternity the ransomed host will be his chief
glory.
Jesus, the Majesty of Heaven, humbled himself, and became obe-
dient unto death, even the death of the cross; “wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every
name.” This mighty Saviour has promised to come again, and to take
his church to the mansions he has prepared for them. While he is
in Heaven carrying on the work of intercession and atonement com-
menced on earth, his life and character are to be exemplified by his
church upon earth. He has promised that, “He that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall
he do, because I go unto my Father.” And again, “Hitherto have ye
asked nothing in my name.” “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in
my name, he will give it you.”
He who considered it not robbery to be equal with God, once trod
the earth, bearing our suffering and sorrowing nature, and tempted
in all points like as we are; and now he appears in the presence of
God as our great High Priest, ready to accept the repentance, and to
answer the prayers of his people, and, through the merits of his own
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righteousness, to present them to the Father. He raises his wounded
hands to God, and claims their blood-bought pardon. I have graven
them on the palms of my hands, he pleads. Those memorial wounds
of my humiliation and anguish secure to my church the best gifts of
Omnipotence.
What a source of joy to the disciples, to know that they had such a
Friend in Heaven to plead in their behalf! Through the visible ascen-
sion of Christ all their views and contemplation of Heaven are changed.
Their minds had formerly dwelt upon it as a region of unlimited space,
tenanted by spirits without substance. Now Heaven was connected
with the thought of Jesus, whom they had loved and reverenced above
all others, with whom they had conversed and journeyed, whom they
had handled, even in his resurrected body, who had spoken hope and
comfort to their hearts, and who, while the words were upon his lips,
had been taken up before their eyes, the tones of his voice coming