Psalm 68:18: You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men.
Experiencing Jesus in the Psalms
When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven after His death, I think He did two things. First, He took with Him to heaven all those saints of the past who were in paradise. God had saved them on credit up to that time, but our Lord paid the redemptive price for them when He died on the cross. He took them (the spirits of just men made perfect) into the presence of God. Secondly, He gave gifts to men on earth so that today He carries on His work through those to whom He has given those gifts. Every person who is in the body of Christ has a gift—but not all have the same gift. 1
Living the Transformed Life
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, …for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16–18
- Because of the Cross – He was able to take to heaven all those who had died in faith, believing in His promised redemption.
- Because of the Cross – He now gives the promised Holy Spirit to all those on earth who have received the Messiah as their Savior and Lord.
- Because of the Cross – He bestows upon His followers, all the gifts they need to be His witnesses and workers, as they await His second coming.
Because of the Cross, all the promises of God are yes, in Christ Jesus.
Praise and Prayer
Thank You Father for sending Your Son to save me and to adopt me as a son. Dear Jesus, please teach me to believe Your promises, and not my feelings.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Psalms 42-89) (electronic ed., Vol. 18, p. 117). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
