Q. 34. Why did Christ ascend into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father?

With the same body in which he was raised, Christ ascended to sit and reign as Lord of heaven and earth, intercede as our Advocate before the Father, and build his Church through his Spirit until he returns to judge all people on the last day.

John 14:2, 12, 16–17; 16:7; Acts 1:9–11; 2:33; 17:31; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20–22; Philippians 2:9–11; 1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 4:14; 7:24–25; 9:24; 1 Peter 3:22; 1 John 2:1; Revelation 19:11–16.

  • AOR 4
  • Heidelberg Catechism 46–51
  • Belgic Confession 26

Ascended. In the presence of his disciples, Christ went up and disappeared into the clouds as a sign that he was passing into the heavenly realm. “In heaven Christ gloriously fulfills his intended offices of prophet, priest, and king” (Calvin, Institutes 2.16.15).

Sit and reign. Christ ascended to begin his royal session (“sitting”) as Lord and King of heaven and earth. The words “seated at the right hand of the Father” are a metaphor for Christ’s exalted status and judicial power (Augustine, On Faith and the Creed 7). God does not have a body or right hand at which to sit (Q. 5).

Intercede. In the Old Testament, Israel’s High Priest entered into the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle to make atonement for the sins of the people. Christ entered into heaven itself, “not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).

Build his Church through his Spirit. It was necessary for Christ to ascend that the Holy Spirit might be poured out (John 16:7). Through the Spirit, Christ is active in the world, working to fulfill his promise to build the Church for which he died (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:25). “Do not think that because He is absent in the flesh He is therefore absent in the spirit; He is here in the midst of us, listening to what is said of Him, seeing our thoughts, searching our hearts and souls; He is ready even now to present all of you, as you come forward for Baptism in the Holy Spirit, to the Father” (Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 14). 

Judge. Christ’s ascension and session in heaven assures us of his future judgment and reign on earth (Q. 35).

From Holy Joys

  1. [Recommended] What Is Jesus Doing Right Now? A Primer on the Ascension and Session
  2. Our Exalted Priest-King: Living in Light of Christ’s Ascension
  3. Sample Liturgy for Ascension Day

Books

  1. [Recommended] Patrick Schreiner, The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine (Lexham Press, 2020).
  2. Peter Orr, Exalted Above the Heavens: The Risen and Ascended Christ (IVP Academic, 2019).