When Was Jesus Glorified?

The glorification of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event in Christian theology that marks the completion of Christ’s earthly mission and ministry. His glorification encompasses his resurrection, ascension, and exaltation in heaven.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Jesus was glorified through his resurrection, ascension into heaven, and being seated at the right hand of God the Father.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the details around when and how Jesus was glorified after his death on the cross. We will look at the biblical accounts of his resurrection and ascension, the significance of his glorification, and what it means for Christian faith today.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The Empty Tomb

The resurrection story begins with the empty tomb, first discovered by Mary Magdalene and other women followers of Jesus on that first Easter Sunday according to John 20:1-2. When they arrived to finish preparing Jesus’ body for burial after the Sabbath, the large stone covering the entrance to the tomb had already been rolled away.

Initially assuming grave robbers had stolen the body, Mary ran to tell Peter and John, who rushed to the tomb and verified that only the burial linens remained inside.

Appearances of the Risen Christ

Over the course of forty days after His death, Jesus appeared alive to multiple disciples on at least ten separate occasions according to the Gospel accounts. Some of the most well-known meetings include revealing himself to a sobbing Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb (John 20:11-18), sharing a meal with two followers walking the Emmaus road, later appearing before the remaining Eleven disciples as they huddled fearfully behind locked doors (John 20:19-23).

The diversity and number of eyewitnesses, along with their initial skepticism, have convinced most scholars that the early disciples genuinely believed Jesus rose from the dead.

Impact and Meaning of the Resurrection

The resurrection stands at the very heart of the Christian faith. Had Jesus merely died and remained buried, His claims about being the divine Son of God would be falsified. As Paul affirms clearly in 1 Corinthians 15, had Christ not been raised, preaching and faith would be useless and Christians would still be in their sins.

Yet His defeating death offers believers both present hope and assurance of resurrection for eternal life with God. The resurrection has also had historical impact, dramatically altering the events at Pentecost and the lives of Jesus’ frightened followers.

The birth of the early church resulted directly from their firsthand encounters with the risen Christ.

The Ascension of Jesus

The Biblical Account

The biblical account of Jesus’ ascension is described in Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-11, and Mark 16:19. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a 40-day period, speaking to them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

On the 40th day, Jesus led his disciples to the vicinity of Bethany on the Mount of Olives, where he ascended into heaven as they watched (Luke 24:50-51). While Jesus was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven (Acts 1:9).

As the disciples strained their eyes to see Jesus ascend into a cloud, two angels appeared and told them he would return in the same way he left (Acts 1:10-11). The ascension was witnessed by Jesus’ 11 faithful apostles (Acts 1:13-14).

Significance and Meaning

Jesus’ ascension signified the completion of his earthly ministry and his exaltation to God’s right hand. It marked his transition back to divine glory after accomplishing redemption through his sacrifice (GotQuestions.org).

The ascension demonstrated Jesus’ power and divine identity as the Son of God. It also revealed the unlimited extent of Christ’s rule and reign (Ephesians 1:20-21). Additionally, the ascension opened the way for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and empowered the disciples to preach the gospel worldwide.

Theologically, Jesus had to depart physically for the Holy Spirit to be sent (John 16:7). His ascension to the Father’s right hand indicates that his work of atonement for sins is complete. Jesus now intercedes for believers before God’s throne and advocates on our behalf as our great High Priest (Hebrews 7:25).

Jesus Exalted at God’s Right Hand

After Jesus’ ascension, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name above all names (Philippians 2:9). Jesus now sits at the right hand of God the Father in the heavenly realms, a place of preeminence, authority, and cosmic rule (Mark 16:19, Ephesians 1:20).

From this position of power, authority, and glory, Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit to indwell believers on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:33).

As the exalted Son of God in heaven, Jesus builds his church through the Spirit and makes salvation available to all who call on his name (Acts 2:21). The ruler of all creation now leads his redeemed people until the culmination of history when all things will be brought under Christ’s sovereign rule (1 Corinthians 15:25-28).

Glorification Fulfilled God’s Promises

Old Testament Prophecies

Jesus’ glorification was the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. For example, Psalm 16:10 says, “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” This verse predicted that God’s Holy One would not remain dead, but would be resurrected.

Peter quotes this verse in Acts 2:27 when preaching about Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven were the glorification that fulfilled this prophecy.

Another prophecy fulfilled was Isaiah 53:11 which says, “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.”

This verse predicted the Messiah would be glorified after bearing the sins of many. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, and His resurrection displayed His victory over sin and death. God glorified Him, showing He was pleased with Christ’s sacrifice.

Glorification Confirmed Christ’s Identity

By raising Jesus from the dead and exalting Him to the highest place in heaven, God powerfully confirmed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and Son of God (Romans 1:4). Jesus predicted His death and resurrection many times during His ministry.

When it happened just as He said, it proved He was telling the truth about His identity. Peter preached at Pentecost that God had raised Jesus from the dead according to His plan, proving Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 2:23-24).

Jesus’ glorification also fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be exalted to God’s right hand. Psalm 110:1 said, “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'”

Peter explained that this enthronement happened when Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 2:33-36). Jesus’ glorification confirmed all the prophecies about the Messiah’s identity.

Victory Over Sin and Death

By raising Jesus from the dead, God displayed Christ’s victory over sin and death. Romans 6:9 says, “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”

Jesus broke the power of sin and death by dying for sin once for all and then conquering death through His resurrection.

God’s glorification of Christ proves that His sacrifice was accepted. As Romans 4:25 says, “He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” His resurrection displayed that the Father’s wrath against sin was satisfied.

Now Jesus lives forever as our victorious High Priest and King. His glorification ensures we also will be raised and glorified just as God promised.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the glorification of Jesus Christ encompasses the great events of his resurrection, ascension, and exaltation in heaven. Through these pivotal moments, God demonstrated Christ’s power and identity as the Son of God.

His glorification marks the completion of his earthly work and paves the way for the gift of salvation and eternal life for all who believe in him. Understanding when and how Jesus was glorified deepens our awe and gratitude for God’s redemptive plan accomplished through Christ.