Jesus Rules His Church from the Father’s Right Hand

Ascension Day (Observed) and Confirmation Sunday| Mark 16:14-20| Pastor James Preus| Trinity Lutheran Church| May 17, 2026

Jesus said, “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,but the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9

Jesus ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father, surrounded by the angels of God. Yet, does that mean that Christ Jesus is far away from us? Two other men in the Bible ascended into heaven alive: Enoch and Elijah. Enoch walked with God, and was not, for God took him (Genesis 5:24). No one ever saw Enoch again. Elijah ascended into heaven in a whirlwind in a fiery chariot (1 Kings 2:11). His spirit, that is, the power of his office stayed behind with Elisha, but Elijah no longer abides on this earth. And so, Christ Jesus must be very far away from us, right? Wrong.

Although Jesus has ascended to the zenith of heaven, He remains quite close to us today, because of who He is and what He has done. Enoch and Elijah were just men. Christ Jesus is true man, but He is also true God. And His human and divine natures are so perfectly united that they cannot be separated. Wherever Jesus is, He is both God and man. And whatever He does, He does as both God and man. And what has Christ done? He perfectly fulfilled God’s Law in human flesh. Yet, because He is true God, His obedience suffices for all people. And He suffered and died for the sins of all people. And because He who suffered and died is true God, His death makes atonement for the sins of the whole world. And so, Jesus does not merely ascend into heaven bodily, but He ascends as He who defeated sin, death, and hell, and now reigns at His Father’s right hand with Satan, death, and hell under His feet.

The right hand of God is not a location in the far reaches of the universe, but a position of power, glory, and majesty. Christ has been true God from eternity. But now, as true man He takes His throne having rescued us from the captivity of sin, death, and hell. He ascends for us, so that He may take us to be with Him and live in heaven forever. He does not leave us behind to figure it out ourselves. From His glorious throne, He continues to help us, forgive us, and guide us. That Jesus sits at the right hand of God means that He rules His Church on earth with almighty power through His Word and Sacraments. And where Christ’s Word and Sacraments are, there is Christ.

Jesus says in Matthew 18, “Wherever two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.” And so, where Jesus’ Word is preached, Christ Jesus is there. In Matthew 28 after commanding the Apostles to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them Jesus says, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” In our Gospel lesson from Mark 16, the Evangelist writes after the Lord Jesus sat down at the right hand of God, “they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them…” (Mark 16:20) The right hand of God is not far away from us. The right hand of God is wherever the Gospel is preached and where the Sacraments of Christ are administered.

Scripture says that as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). How then can Christ be far away? Jesus says that the Sacrament of the Altar is His body given for us and His blood shed for us for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-28). Some say that Christ’s body cannot be present in the Sacrament, because it is far away in heaven. Or they say that only Christ’s divinity is present, but His human body is far away. But that is not what Jesus’ clear words say. So, why do they say it? Because they think it is impossible for Christ’s body to be in more than one place at one time. But Jesus is God. His body is capable of what our bodies are not capable. And if Jesus were to be present anywhere as only God and not man, then there He would not be our crucified Savior. Yet, because Christ reigns at God’s right hand, everything is possible for Him, even those things of which we can neither ask nor think (Ephesians 3:20).

From the Father’s right hand, Christ can give us all the benefits of His cross and resurrection. He can forgive our sins, send us His Holy Spirit, strengthen our faith, protect us from Satan, even clothe us with Himself and feed us His body and blood. At the Father’s right hand Christ is ever and always interceding for us (Romans 8:34), showing His Father the marks of the nails in His hands and spear in His side. The Father’s right hand does not limit Christ at all, rather it is the position of the greatest authority and power in heaven and on earth. And Jesus uses that power and authority to save you.

But how do you benefit from Jesus’ reign at the Father’s right hand? It is through faith alone. The fact that Christ sits at the Father’s right hand proves that He has done everything necessary for our salvation. It means that He has defeated all our enemies, paid all our debts, earned our every inheritance. And so, from God’s right hand He showers us with every good thing He won for us. These things can only be received through faith. This is why Jesus rebuked His disciples for their unbelief, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had risen. This is why Jesus says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Without faith, you cannot receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection. Without faith, you cannot confess Christ before God and men and be saved.

Unbelief is the ultimate sin, because it rejects Him who alone forgives sins. To disbelieve means to have a hardened heart. And so, while the preachers of the Gospel whom Christ sends out into the world must preach against every sin, so that sinners repent and believe in the Gospel, they must above every sin preach against stubborn unbelief, which clings to your pride and sin, and sends you to hell.

Faith alone receives the forgiveness of sins, because Christ died for all sins. And so, you, confirmands should keep this in mind. While we pray that God keeps you from wicked and shameful sins, you should know that God is merciful and forgiving. If you make a terrible mistake and sin against your God and Savior Christ Jesus, you can return to Him. And from His almighty throne, He will forgive you with His cleansing blood. Faith alone receives this. Unbelief rejects it.

Yet, some are confused about faith. They think that since faith is in the heart, and you can have faith wherever you are, that it does not matter whether you go to church, listen to the preaching of God’s Word, or receive the Sacrament. Many even claim to have faith while forsaking Baptism. But that is not what it means to have faith. Faith believes Jesus’ Word and clings to His promises. Jesus says, “If you abide in My Word, you are my disciples indeed, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Likewise, Scripture says that Jesus ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things (Ephesians 4:10). And so, people think, since Christ is everywhere, I don’t need to go anywhere to be with Him. The right hand of God extends over all creation, so why do I need to go to church? Because we do not find the right hand of God everywhere. St. Paul writes in Ephesians chapter One that God seated Christ “at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all.” (vss. 20-23) The Church is the body of Christ, that is, the flock of sheep, who hear and believe His Word. They alone benefit from Christ’s ascension.

If you want to find Christ at the right hand of God the Father, you need to find the Church. And Christ has given us sure markers to find the Church on earth. The Church is where the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity and where the Sacraments are rightly administered. These are called the marks of the Church, because this is how you identify where Christ’s Church is. Where God’s Word is taught purely, the Gospel being preached and the Sacraments administered, there you find Christ at the Father’s right hand distributing His blessings. People refuse to come and hear God’s Word and receive the Sacrament, because they doubt or do not believe this. To refuse to hear God’s Word and receive the Sacrament is to deny Christ who sits at the Father’s right hand.

Some want to add certain spiritual gifts as the marks of true Christianity, because Jesus says that those who believe will cast out demons, speak in tongues, be impervious to poison, and heal the sick. So, they claim that true Christians have these abilities. Yet, these were signs of the Apostles. Scripture records these events happening in the book of Acts. But Scripture does not promise they will continue (1 Corinthians 13:8). In fact, Jesus warns that those performing wonders will lead many astray (Matthew 24:24). The true marks of the Church, which will endure until the return of Christ are the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.  

Spencer, Eli, Sui, and Clara, throughout your lives Christ has shepherded and cared for you from the Father’s right hand. Baptism is a power that issues forth from the right hand of God. Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21). Now, some will say that Baptism does not save, because faith alone saves. They will even point out that Mark 16 does not say, “Whoever is not baptized will be condemned,” but “whoever does not believe will be condemned.” But Baptism saves, because faith alone saves. Faith alone receives the promise and benefits of Baptism. In Baptism, Christ offers salvation, forgiveness, and new birth. Faith alone receives this. And faith does not receive it just once, but throughout your life. Every day your faith holds fast to the promise in your Baptism, which unites you to Christ’s death and resurrection. Likewise, the preaching of the Gospel saves. St. Paul tells St. Timothy that by his teaching he will save both himself and his hearers (1 Timothy 4:16). But what if they do not believe? Then they will not be saved. Does that mean that his teaching does not save? Of course not. That is like saying that Christ’s death and resurrection do not save. But salvation can only be received through faith.

Likewise, the Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ whether you believe it or not. Those who eat and drink this Sacrament without true faith still eat and drink Christ’s body and blood, but they receive it to their own judgment. That is why you, confirmands have been instructed and examined before receiving this Sacrament. Faith alone receives the benefits of Christ’s ascension.

Baptism, the preaching of the Gospel, the Absolution, and the Sacrament of the Altar are all marks of the Church. They show you where on earth you can find Christ sitting at the Father’s right hand giving gifts to His Church. This is why we ask our confirmands, “Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully.” We want you to continue to benefit from Christ’s ascension.

When you confess Christ before men, you confess not only that Christ suffered and died for your sins and rose again, but that He is ascended to the Father’s right hand and that He continues to bless you through His Word and Sacraments. You confess that He is not far away, but near, as near as His Word and Sacraments. Spencer, Eli, Sui, and Clara, when you kneel at the Communion rail and receive in faith Christ’s true body and blood in the Sacrament for the forgiveness of your sins, you not only confess Christ before this congregation, but you confess Him to the angels and archangels who surround the throne of God. And when you in this way approach God’s right hand, Christ confesses you before the same company of heaven. Amen.