We learn much about the Lord’s movements after His resurrection by the Apostle Paul.  We read in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”  We know this is not a complete list of those who saw the Lord Jesus after His resurrection.

John 20:11-18 shows us that Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the resurrected Lord.

Luke 24:13-31 tells us that He appeared to two people who were on their way to a city named Emmaus.

Now let’s consider Acts 1:3 which says of the Lord Jesus, “…he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”  After His resurrection, the Lord remained upon the earth for forty days and showed Himself alive by ‘many infallible proofs.’  The account of the Lord’s ascension back to Heaven is given to us in the book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke, both of which were written by Luke.

We read in Acts 1:9-11, “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”  Luke writes a little more descriptively in Luke 24:50-53, “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” 

After His ascension to Glory, the Lord appeared to Stephen as he was being martyred. (Acts 7:55-56).  The Apostle Paul encountered the glorified Lord Jesus while he was travelling to Damascus to persecute believers. (Acts 9:1-9).  According to 1 Corinthians 15:8, Paul was the “last of all” to see the Lord. 

Where is the Lord today and what is He doing?  We read in Hebrews 1:1-3, “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.”  We read also in Ephesians 1:20, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.”  This shows the work of the Father in raising His Son and setting Him down at His own right hand in the heavenlies. 

To be sitting down indicates a finished work, and the Lord Jesus finished the work of salvation for us when He gave His life for us on the cross.  He even exclaimed from the cross, “It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30).  Now, we can rest in this finished work of the Lord on the cross.  However, there is work yet to be finished by the Lord. 

* We learn in 1 Timothy 2:5 that Christ is the “one mediator between God and men.”  

* We learn in Hebrews 4:14 that Christ is our “great high priest, that is passed into the heavens.” 

* We are told in Hebrews 7:25 Christ “ever liveth to make intercession” for those who are saved. 

* We learn in 1 John 2:1 that Christ is our “advocate with the Father.” 

Although there is a finished work that the Lord has accomplished, He continues to serve faithfully in His capacity as mediator, high priest, intercessor, and advocate.  How thankful we should be for that work which is finished and that which continues.  (411.6)