Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 9:24; Exod. 19:3, 4;
Heb. 12:18–21; Lev. 16:1, 2; Heb. 10:19–22; Col. 3:1.
Memory Text: “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with
hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear
in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24, NKJV).
W
hen the disciples returned from the Mount of Olives,
right after Jesus had ascended to heaven, they were
filled with joy and triumph. Their Master and Friend had
ascended to a position of power over the world and had invited
them to approach God in His name with the absolute confidence
that God would respond favorably to their prayers (John 14:13, 14).
Even though they continued in the world, attacked by the forces of
evil, their hope was strong. They knew that Jesus had ascended to
prepare a place for them (John 14:1–3). They knew that Jesus was
the Captain of their salvation and that He had opened a way into
the heavenly homeland through His blood.
The ascension of Jesus to heaven is central to the theology of
Hebrews. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ rule and the beginning of
His High Priestly ministry in our behalf. And more important, Jesus’
ascension marks the moment that the new covenant, which provides the
means through which we can approach God boldly through faith, has
been inaugurated. It is our privilege now to approach God with confi-
dence through Jesus and the merits of His righteousness.