Today is a special day as we remember what is described in Matt 28 - the day Jesus ascended into heaven.
The one who is the perfect Lamb ascended to heaven, to do what? To present the blood of his perfect sacrifice at the Mercy Seat in the Courts of heaven. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter through the curtain in the temple into the Most Holy part (also called the Holy of holies), he took the blood of an animal that was sacrificed for the sins of the people and sprinkled the blood on and before the mercy seat. The mercy seat was the part on top of the ark of the covenant, between the two cherubim, where the presence of God dwelled. In this way, the high priest made atonement for the sins of the people.
On the 15th of April, Good Friday (Passover) we celebrated and remembered the death of Jesus as the perfect Lamb of God. On resurrection Sunday we, the church of Jesus Christ, joined in the victorious resurrection of Jesus. The power of what Jesus did on earth is in the resurrection. There is only one thing better than a Saviour that died for our sins, and that is a Saviour who rose from the dead and is alive!
But there was something significant that happened when Jesus was on the cross. When darkness fell on the earth at midday and lasted for 3 hours (longer than we have load-shedding), the curtain in the temple tore from top to bottom. Jesus made a way for us to be united and reconciled back to God the Father. There was no need for Jesus to go back to the temple in Jerusalem again. Therefore he returned to heaven, to present his perfect blood sacrifice at the ultimate Mercy Seat of God the Father, in the Courts of heaven.
Ascension Day is an important event in history. Unfortunately, because it is no longer a public holiday in our nation, many people (even in the church at large), don't stop to remember and ponder the ascension of Jesus. It kind of disappeared off the radar of many believers. However, a direct command was given at the ascension of Jesus. In Acts 1:11 the two angels who appeared when Jesus was taken into heaven, said to the disciples: "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Today, therefore, is a day for us to remember, and to look up! To look with expectancy for the return of our Saviour Jesus Christ on the clouds. With most churches not having ascension day services anymore, let us take time in our homes today as families, households, and married couples, and enter with thankful hearts the throne room of God, giving praise for what Jesus our Lord did for us, for completing His mission on the earth. Let us call and welcome the reign of Jesus over our lives, as the one to whom all authority has been given in heaven and on earth...and may we bow our hearts in surrender to his authority over our lives also. May we live in his strength until he returns again soon.
Revelation 22:17 - The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
Revelation 22:20 - He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!