"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:1-3)
These verses tell us that Jesus has been at work since the beginning of creation. He is the "heir of all things." He "made the worlds." He upholds "all things" (some translations say "the universe" here). After doing all of that work for all time, Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, died a sinless death to "purge our sins", rose again, and ascended back to Heaven, where he sat down at God's right hand.
He sat down. Why did he sit down? And is it even important?
I believe it is important because it's in the Bible. As a friend recently reminded me, we may waste words, but God doesn't. So, yes, it's important.
So, why did he sit down? He said on the cross just before he gave up the ghost, "It is finished." The work that he had to do "by himself" (the work of redemption) was finished. He had made a way that we could join him someday in that glorious Heaven for eternity. After his resurrection, the purpose of his coming to earth was completed, so he ascended to Heaven and took again his rightful place, sitting at his Father's right hand as the heir of all things.
Paul tells us that Jesus's work now includes intercession for us (Romans 8:34). And where is the perfect place for God the Son to intercede on my behalf and yours? Why seated at the Father's right hand of course.
In fact, the only time the Bible narrative tells us of Jesus in any position besides seated at God's right hand is when Stephen was martyred in the book of Acts. In his dying moments, Stephen looked up and saw Jesus standing at God's right hand. Why did he stand? He stood to welcome Stephen into his presence. A faithful servant, whose work on Earth had also been completed, was coming home, and Jesus stood to welcome him.
Isn't it just the most amazing thing!? I've often said, if he never did another thing for me, his work on the Cross is more than I could ever deserve or pay for. But he continues to intercede for me, sitting next to his Father. And when my time on Earth is finished, I hope to see him standing to welcome me home just like he did Stephen.
