I was invited to preach in a historical church. Behind the pulpit was a very old chair that didn’t look very strong. No one said not to sit in it, but three different people told me that Francis Asbury sat in it, and that it was very fragile. I got the message.

We usually sit in a chair with an unconscious faith that it will bear our weight. There are some chairs that I have little faith in, so I know to just stand, or find another seat.

The priest in the Holy Temple had to work standing up, they had no chair. The reason was that the work of cleansing people from sin was never done, and no one sits down until the work is finished.

When Jesus cried out from the cross, “It is finished,” he clearly meant that the penalty for sin was satisfied. He could sit down at the Father’s right hand because the work of salvation was done. That is the greatest news for every one of us sinners.

When I read today’s verse, or recite the words, “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty…” My heart rejoices. Salvation is secured, eternal, unchanging, and free to anyone who will repent and believe. We do not have to work for it, it can’t be bought; It is the gift of God. The nail-scarred hands of Christ have become our Mercy Seat.

“My faith has found a resting place,
from guilt my soul is freed;
I trust the ever living One,
his wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
it is enough that Jesus died,
and that he died for me.”