May 17 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Acts 1:9–11

Devotional

We read in the newspapers about plans to explore the universe. Man wants to be on the moon. He wants to go even further to other planets. How foolish man is. We have to go further. We have to go to heaven. And this is precisely what man is not concerned about. Man may travel to the moon, but a more significant miracle has happened. Man has gone into heaven!

If we consider the earth’s gravity, it was a miracle when flesh and blood ascended into heaven. This was contrary to the forces of earth’s gravity, but it was possible because of the forces of heavenly grace. Imagine: a human being of flesh and blood in heaven. Christ, in His human nature, ascended into heaven. This is where we all will have to go, if it is to be well with us. If only man would be concerned about this; if only man would realize that we must be restored into God’s communion. Then our churches would be filled to capacity. For everyone would ask the question: “Is there a way for me to be restored into God’s favor?”

Blessed are those who realize that this is the greatest miracle: there is a way for man to come to God through the Mediator, Jesus Christ. That is the good news of Christ’s ascension. Without the work of Christ as High Priest, man cannot attain heaven. He took all the sins of His people upon Himself and intercedes for sinners before the Father. This gospel forms a miracle especially for those who realize that the way to God from our side is closed. By our sins we have shut the way to heaven. But from God’s side there is an open way, but that is only through Him, the High Priest. He took all the sins of His people upon Himself. Thereby He paved the way for poor sinners. He opened a way where there was no way. That is the great miracle of grace. Now people can be taken up to be where He is, because He was taken up. He shall not rest until His people are all with Him in glory.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.