Weird Ideas: Seated at the Right Hand of GodНамуна

Let’s unpack some imagery in the phrase: “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”

The world, both past and present, has kings. A king’s power is symbolized by his throne. The one who sits in this seat rules.

Thrones are often elevated. Physically. That way, they can be seen. It also makes a powerful statement. The one seated here sees all and is over all he surveys.

When a person becomes king, it often climaxes with him going up to the throne and sitting on it. Other things might happen too – a crowning, a scepter, a cheer or pronouncement – but the act of sitting on the throne is usually a key part of it all. Just think of any movie or series you’ve seen – “The Crown,” “Game of Thrones,” T’Challa and Warmonger in the “Black Panther” series, or maybe Simba ascending Pride Rock.

And who gets to sit on this throne? That’s simple—the king. But kings don’t live forever. So, who succeeds the king? Typically, the king’s son is next to take the throne.

All this imagery comes crashing together when the Bible talks about Jesus ascending into heaven and sitting at God’s right hand.

What do we see when Jesus ascends into heaven? He’s going up. Physically. To where? The place where God’s throne is – in heaven. Heaven is higher than anything. It sees all and stands over all. What does Jesus do? He sits on the throne. What does it symbolize? He now rules with the full authority of the Heavenly Father seated there. Why can he do it? He’s God’s Son. Just as a king’s son inherits his Father’s reign, Jesus, the Son of God, takes over his Father’s reign. Jesus is the king. Jesus is over all.

Jesus’s ascension is no minor detail. It’s a proclamation that Jesus is taking God’s throne.