When Christ descended, it was an occasion of tremendous joy and happiness. Hosts of angels sang peace and goodwill to men, joy and happiness and so it was: God with us – Immanuel. God in Christ had come down to man to take our part, to be our representative. In incarnation, what happiness and joy! Redemption would be possible, Christ would make an atonement for us. There would be a new burst of revelation and the gospel age would come. What joy and happiness in the descent of Jesus Christ!
Then you think of his ascent, back into heaven. He that descended then ascended – far greater joy – just think of it! If his coming was a cause of rejoicing, his departure into heaven is far greater, not only because he has clearly succeeded in accomplishing all he came to do, to bear away our sin, so that we could be forgiven and saved and know him. He has not only accomplished everything, but no longer does he have to suffer. We know there was joy when he came: then you hesitate. Why should there be such joy? What is he going to have to do? He is going to have to bear our sin. He is going to have to suffer indescribable agony, concentrated, eternal agony. So therefore there is much greater joy when he ascends afterwards. No more humiliation, no more pain. He has fought the fight. The battle is over and done. The suffering, the humiliation is behind him. He is now far above all his enemies. He has gone! He has risen. What is left in this world for us, when he is no longer here? My benefactor has gone to his eternal home. The best person ever to be in this world, far, far better, infinitely better than the sum total of human goodness. My chief interest has gone. He is on high in eternal glory – no wonder the apostle says, ‘Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth.’
How can you live humbly, modestly, without covetousness? Your dearest Friend, your Saviour, (to use an old-fashioned word) your hero, your Lord and King, your Redeemer isn’t here. He has moved on long ago and our eyes are upon him and we are going to join him and we are not going to feather our nests, or make our roots in this world, or over-pamper ourselves, or fall in love with the things of this world, because we are heading on high and we are going to serve and represent him with character and humility and modesty and meekness and servant spirit and helpfulness all the days of our commission for him on earth.