Jesus the Savior Reigns!
Lord's Day Exhortation
In Acts 1, we read that forty days after His resurrection, Jesus bodily ascended into heaven in the presence of His disciples (1:9–11). And we are told at the end of the Gospel of Mark and in Paul’s epistles that having ascended, Christ sat down at the right hand of God the Father (Mk. 16:19, Rom. 8:34).
This event was Christ’s royal coronation. In His resurrection, Christ’s sacrifice was shown to be accepted as He publicly defeated death. And in His ascension, He is now exalted and enthroned high above all principalities and powers, forever having dominion (Eph. 1:20–21). As the Spirit prophesied through King David in Psalm 110, “The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
The late theologian, J.I. Packer, summarized the message of Christ’s ascension as “Jesus the Savior reigns!” He wrote,
“In a weary world in which grave philosophers were counseling suicide as man’s best option the unshakable, rollicking optimism of the first Christians, who went on feeling and proclaiming that life was wonderful and the world a marvelous place because Jesus was on the throne of the universe, was beyond comprehension.”
Ascension Sunday is a joyous reminder for you, Christian, that your Lord Jesus is in control. Christ is King. He is the King of heaven and earth, the King of this nation, this church, your family, and your heart. “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” says the Lord Jesus (Jn. 16:33). When sin and suffering threaten to destroy your peace, to destroy your family, or your health, or your comfort—there is One to whom you can turn, who has all authority and power. There is One you can trust, who sovereignly ordains all things for the good of His people (Rom. 8:28). Jesus, your great High Priest, has passed through the heavens and ascended on high. Therefore, hold fast the confession of your faith, and come now boldly to His throne of grace, where mercy may be found (Heb. 4:14–16).
This exhortation was given on May 17, AD 2026, at King’s Cross Church Downtown in Moscow, Idaho.