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Christ’s Triumphal Entry Into Heaven
This chapter is based on Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-12.
The time had come for Christ to ascend to His Father’s throne as
a divine Conqueror. After His resurrection, He remained on earth
for a time so that His disciples could become familiar with Him in
His glorified body. Now He was ready to leave them. His disciples
no longer had to associate Him with the tomb. They could think of
Him as glorified in the sight of the heavenly universe.
As the place for His ascension, Jesus chose the Mount of Olives—
the spot so often made holy by His presence while He lived on
earth. His prayers and tears had consecrated its groves and secluded
valleys. At its foot in the garden of Gethsemane He had prayed and
agonized alone. On its summit His feet will rest when He comes
again as a glorious king, while Hebrew hallelujahs mingle with
Gentile hosannas and a mighty gathering swells the shout, “Crown
Him Lord of all!”
Now with the eleven disciples Jesus made His way toward the
mountain. As they passed through the gate of Jerusalem, many
people were amazed to see the little company, led by One whom the
rulers had crucified a few weeks before. The disciples did not know
that this was to be their last conversation with the Master. Jesus
spent the time talking with them, repeating His former instruction.
As they approached Gethsemane, He paused. He looked at the vine
by which He had represented the union of His church with Himself
and His Father. Again He repeated the truths He had unfolded then.
In the world for thirty-three years, Christ had endured scorn,
insult, and mockery. He had been rejected and crucified. Now as He
reviewed the ingratitude of the people He came to save, would He
withdraw His sympathy and love from them? No; His promise is, “I
am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
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When they reached the Mount of Olives, Jesus led the way
across the summit to the vicinity of Bethany. Here He paused, and
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