Scripture
"For He raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” — Ephesians 2:6
In ancient Israel, the first sheaf of the harvest was lifted before the Lord as a sign of gratitude and as a promise of the greater harvest still to come. Scripture calls this offering the first fruits—the beginning that guarantees the rest.
In the same way, Jesus is the true First Fruits. After His resurrection, He ascended to the Father—not leaving His humanity behind, but carrying it with Him. The One who took on our flesh now stands before God in glorified human life. His ascension is not merely His victory; it is the beginning of ours.
Ephesians tells us that God has already “raised us up with Him.” In other words, what is true of Jesus is now true of all who belong to Him. His life is our life. His standing before the Father is our standing. His future is our future.
And from that exalted place, Jesus pours out gifts on His Church—strengthening, equipping, and sending us into the world as His witnesses. He intercedes for us as our Great High Priest. He prepares a place for us in the Father’s house. He assures us that where He is, we will be also.
The ascension is not Christ’s departure; it is our inclusion. It is the promise that our lives are already hidden with Christ in God, and that one day we will see with our eyes what is already true in Him.
Because He has ascended, we are not left behind—we are lifted up.
Prayer
Risen and ascended Lord, lift our eyes to where You are seated, that we may live today with the confidence of those already held in Your life. Make us faithful witnesses of Your grace until the day we join You in glory, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
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