Where is Jesus today? (Location and position)
Today we are back of the topic of questions that people have about Jesus.
The questions is, Where is Jesus today?
Let me say that the answer to that can vary widely depending on who you ask.
If you were to ask a Baha’ (A religion that originated from Muslim roots and is a fast growing faith in the Middle East.) They would say that his bones are in the ground around Jerusalem but his soul is with God like any holy prophet of God.
If you were to ask a Mormon where Jesus is today they would say that He and his wife are watching over a planet somewhere out there in space. That Jesus became God by his actions on earth and earned this new role.
If you asked a Jehovah Witness - they would say that Jesus died and did not rise from the dead physically – only spiritually. His spirit went to heaven and returned in 1914 and is in control of the watch tower society based in Pittsburg PA. So Jesus lives in some form in Pittsburg. Not my idea of a heavenly kingdom.
Muslims have several differing views of Jesus, but the one hat seems most accepted is that Jesus never died on the cross that he like Enoch to Elijah was raised as a living person directly into heaven.
If you ask a Jew – the answer is that today Jesus is in the ground his bones are lost some place near Jerusalem.
If you asked a person that would call themselves agnostic or atheist it is likely that most would say that if the man Jesus existed he died and was buried long ago.
There is a group of scholars that are called the Jesus Seminar that study the scriptures decided what is valid and not in the bible by votes. They publish a translation of the Bible using different colors in the text to indicate a scale of what is accurate based on their votes.
They ultimately have come to the conclusion that Jesus was not divine and he did not rise form the dead.
-- Now that we have looked at a brief survey of what other groups believe about where Jesus is today, we will look at how Christians answer that question?
So let me ask any of you, Where is Jesus today?
(Would anyone here like to share where Christians believe Jesus is today?)
Heaven, in our hearts….
-- I can’t tell you with any real certainty how any of the other groups I mentioned came to their views of where Jesus is today actually came about.
-- But what about Christian beliefs about where Jesus comes from?
Where do you/we get our information?
(mom, dad, preacher, radio show, tv special, Bible)
Let me say that the best answer to that question is The Bible. We see the word of God as being our primary source and there are several scriptures that tell us the same answer to the where is Jesus question.
The Gospel of John tells us 6 different times where Jesus went.
John 16:28 Jesus said –“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
Matthew 26:64 Jesus is being questioned by the Sanhedrin, "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Ok according to the Bible Jesus left the earth in Acts 1 and ascended into heaven.
So the short answer – Jesus is in Heaven..Jesus is with the father.
He is seated on a thrown at the right hand side of God.
Is anyone here thinking, “Hey, I knew that one?” Every Christian knows that answer so obviously today’s sermon is going to be a complete waste of time!”
-- Have you ever noticed how some statements have a double meaning?
Phrases like (I could not recommend him more highly.) I will say that again so it can sink in, (I could not recommend him more highly.)
My question today has more that one meaning or interpretation. Although I will guess that the majority of you would have had a similar response; in heaven, with the father , perhaps in our heart.
That made me consider something: Why would most of us jump to that interpretation of the question…I believe that it is because most of us identify with the same image of Jesus. Most of us identify with humble, approachable, friendly Jesus.
- A Loving representative that would never harm a hair on any person’s head.
- A Jesus that was marginalized and poor and had a load of issues with powerful religious people.
- The Jesus we know, went to the cross for our sins….to make an eternal relationship with God possible.
We generally know that earthly incarnation image of Jesus Christ and we are basically satisfied by knowing warm and fuzzy, friendly, Brother Jesus.
But what is he up to now. What happened after his 3 year teaching experience?
According to Ephesians 1 – God Raised him to a position of Great power – as the Right Hand Man and gave him authority – Verses 21-23 says, “That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
After fulfilling his purpose on earth - humble servant Jesus leaves the earth and is empowered with full control- the same power as God himself – present and future of creation. He is the head of the church which is his body. He is completely in charge. He is glorified, exalted and alive and well in heaven.
If Jesus is alive in heaven for the past 2000 years – through the fall of Rome, The Black death, the crusades, the renaissance, through countless wars even world wars and even now in the information age… How does he spend his time?
We know Jesus has many titles, Prince of peace, King of kings, He is also known as the great High priest.
Hebrews 4:14-16 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
So, humble Jesus has continued his role as intercessor.
As a priest He offers peoples gifts and sacrifices to God. He is a minister in God’s sanctuary acting as a mediator between Christians and the Father. Jesus sacrifice gives Christians access to God.
- So humble, lovable, meek Jesus – our brother and friend is still watching our backs.
Another responsibility: Christ has is to build and guide and protect the New Testament church.
He is in charge of his earthly body, the church.
He worked through his physical body while on the earth and he works today through his spiritual body.
He calls people to be a part of the body and to become members of the royal priesthood. We are to offer spiritual sacrifices to God that are acceptable to God.
Jesus constantly shapes his earthly body with the provision of spiritual gifts that empower the church for ministry. Ephesians 4 speaks of “preparing God’s people for works of service.”
Jesus is also preparing Christians for the coming kingdom. John 14:2-3 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
So Jesus is preparing a place that he will bring his church to one day. He is preparing to come back.
So, what is this review all about?
I believe that most of us hold on to the image of servant Jesus and we feel really comfortable that his life on earth and in haven is all about us and our happiness.
-- We often feel disappointed when our prayers are unanswered or our situations become difficult, when we have a loss.
I am afraid that all too often we say we have a faith in Jesus Christ that lived and was ultimately killed for his message. That we believe in this record of his life recorded in the bible about his ministry, his crucifixion and His resurrection….but when we picture Christ in our minds we see a dead powerless Jesus just like some many non Christians.
-- We look at our world and wonder where is Jesus?
I believe that most of us have an incomplete image of Jesus and that allows us to have doubts and short sited ideas related to where Jesus is and how he should act in our lives.
If we fail to have and share the full picture of Jesus the culture around us will also fail to see the full picture.
You may be wondering what is missing?
We have the Humble - friend – brother Jesus. The one that will forgive us no matter how bad we are. We also have the Royal priest Jesus that acts as our intercessor. He keeps our communication with God open and had plans for us to be with him eternally.
So what is missing?
Basically, we don’t include the hero figure Jesus. We don’t have any images of the tough guy hero that is capable of making things right. One of those movie characters that fights for justice and is victorious in the end.
We do have a reference in scripture for this side of Jesus but I think that we skip over it because it makes us feel uncomfortable.
Let me read from revelation 19:11-16 as the writer describes his vision of Jesus:
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
-- This description of where Jesus is now is very different than other descriptions in scripture.
He is on a white horse, not a plow horse or a race horse. He is mounded on a military machine that is used in battle and in the triumphal parades when the battles are over.
The author identifies two words, faithful and true that seems to be consistent with his first advent. His first advent has him serving in a special role of marketing – getting the good news out to God’s people.
In Revelation He is still faithful an true however he is about to use his full power. Jesus has another job on his return; he is also the head of the legal department. When God sends him to perform His judgment, He will make war against all His enemies.
It is not going to be pretty. Because He will have a penetrating vision described as fiery eyes, he will know the truth. He will see through pretence and clearly see sins in people’s lives that no one else can see.
This Image of Jesus has him wearing many crowns; I guess one might be a crown of thorns when he defeated sin and death. There are other victories where He has over 2000 years has defeated other kingdoms or perhaps He has already claimed the crowns of his enemies in the coming war.
He has a new name perhaps a title that only He knows. Perhaps it is a name that only He is capable of understanding. Savior, Lord, Jehovah – we are incapable of understanding what the name actually describes.
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
Let me explain, the blood is not his blood it is the blood of his enemies, His slain opponents.
Again name is mentioned but this time it is described as the “word of God.”
A name based on knowledge that you and I can learn from scripture.
How about how is army is dressed? They are in full dress uniforms not fighting fatigues. They are dressed for the victory parade and not the war.
The battle is already won!
An out of his mouth is a sharp sward which will strike down nations. The warrior only has to speak to defeat his enemies.
He has a sash or a banner that identified his title. King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He is the coming a sovereign over all. All nations, all people all creation.
- That’s a different image isn’t it?
That description is someone that demands respect.
He is a person that you can’t fool or beat up.
He is a leader that is confident and empowered.
This is a person that can get things done and make immediate difference in our lives. This is a person that we can pray to, rightly fear and worship.
Why is this reminder of where Jesus is today important?
Because, we need to have a full understanding of the characteristics of Jesus.
Humble, loving messenger, Faithful, trustworthy, righteous sacrifice for our sins. Those are images that we are normally thankful for. But, somehow humans tend to take gifts and humbleness for weakness.
We may love a meek person but we rarely respect and fear them. We may accept Him as a benevolent leader that controls his power and blesses His people. We tend to live less righteously because we take the power of our king for granted.
But, all to often we fail to focus on Jesus as the Judge of this world and the fact that his return will be a time of judgment is coming. That his power will be used to defeat the enemies of God and to bring the heavenly kingdom back to this world.
Where is Jesus today? In Heaven sitting at the right hand of God. He is at the top of the organizational chart in the heavenly Kingdom and has all power and authority to carry out God’s will.
Perhaps the question should be where is Jesus in your life….
Is He alive
Is he just a friend
or Is He your king, your Lord.
Do you know him from your study of scripture or only by what other people say about Him.
I hope that you answer that question from your personal experience and knowledge. If not that you will take time to allow the fill image of Christ. Remember He is coming back…his mission will be of judgment and war.
