Heidelberg 49 & 50 Ascension

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, ³for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

Thoughts: We have been raised with Christ.  We have been born again when we believe- and our souls are made alive.  Therefore we are not consumed with the stuff of earth that is temporary- but we know how to let it go.  Heidelerg interprets this literally, "You have been raised with Christ" saying that part of our body- the church's head- is in heaven.  Since the head is in heaven the rest of us are sure to follow.  In heaven Christ prays for us (and He has the ear of the Father).  His Spirit is part of the guarantee/deposit that we are going to be with Him in heaven.  The Spirit also helps us to choose heaven (and its things) over earth (and its stuff).  

Prayer: Thank you that you have raised me up.  Help my focus to be raised to you as well.  

Q & A 49

Q. How does Christ’s ascension to heaven benefit us?

A. First, he is our advocate in heaven in the presence of his Father.1 Second, we have our own flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that Christ our head will also take us, his members, up to himself.2 Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a corresponding pledge.3 By the Spirit’s power we seek not earthly things but the things above, where Christ is,

sitting at God’s right hand.4

1 Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1
2 John 14:2; 17:24; Eph. 2:4-6
3 John 14:16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5
4 Col. 3:1-4

Q & A 50

Q. Why the next words: “and is seated at the right hand of God”?

A. Because Christ ascended to heaven to show there that he is head of his church,1 the one through whom the Father rules all things.2

1 Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 1:18
2 Matt. 28:18; John 5:22-23