May 23, 2023 -- Psalm 24:7-10 -- The Psalm Series: Jesus' Ascension as the King of Glory
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty
the LORD, mighty in battle!
Lift your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The LORD of Hosts,
He is the King of Glory! Selah
Psalm 24:7-10 ESV
Many people will know that this coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. It is the day when believers celebrate the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the early church. What you might not be aware of is Ascension Day. This is celebrated 10 days before Pentecost and is always on a Thursday. Luke 24 and Acts 1 both record Jesus’ bodily ascension into heaven. His disciples were watching and Jesus was lifted from the earth and went into heaven.
The psalm reading for today anticipates that glorious moment and it gives us vital information. Jesus is the King of Glory. He has disarmed all the hosts of hell, all the accusations of the Devil, and done so at the cross. Because all our sins were punished on the person of Jesus and the wrath of God against our sins poured out on Jesus, whenever the Devil tries to accuse us of our sins we can confidently declare: that has been forgiven.
Now this LORD, mighty in battle, the victor, takes up His place in heaven. He ascends in victory. The people of God rejoice at this because it means Jesus, Who has flesh and blood just like we do, is seated in power at the Father’s right hand.
It also means Adam’s curse at the Garden of Eden has been overcome.
We can be assured because Jesus is in heaven, believers have a place in heaven.
This Jesus speaks on our behalf to our Father in heaven—He is interceding for us, praying for us (Romans 8:34).
The passage today could be framed as the scoffers and disbelievers asking who is this King of Glory? The hosts of heaven and all believers ring out the powerful, beautiful truth--Jesus is the King of Glory. The Conqueror. Our Savior. Is there anything too difficult for Him? Any sin He cannot disarm and throw down? No?! He is the King of Glory.
Our Father in heaven hallowed and forever blessed be Your Name. Thank You for the glory You have given to Jesus Christ at His ascension. Thank You that Jesus’ ascension fulfills Your promise at Genesis 3:15 that Your Son would defeat the enemy and even death itself. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit, Mighty God, by Whom we study such things and learn and grow in our precious faith. Father in heaven, by Your word—both written and the Living Word—increase our faith. Spirit of God enthrone Jesus Christ as the LORD of Hosts, and King of our hearts. Amen.
https://youtu.be/FsOZ3UsUbNA “Psalm 24” Keith and Kristyn Getty
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