Confessing Sin: A Distant Christ

If you Confess, He will Forgive

Apostles’ Creed Posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, now reading 6

Space: The Final Frontier

[Opens with Galactic Sounds] “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.” Can you hear the Star Trek theme song?!? If you do, you’re not just a subscriber—you’re also a friend. I wish I could say I was a huge Trekkie or Star Wars nut, but I’m just a fan. Truthfully, the 1995 space movie Apollo 13 scared the snot out of me in my childhood. I’m permanently scarred. Thanks, Tom Hanks. I still feel my childhood hesitation when I watch space movies like Interstellar and Ad Astra. But watch them, I do! I love the expanse and adventure attributed to space travel. We all do!

That is flat-out amazing! Photo by NASA

Do you remember Mars One? Mars One's mission was to establish the first permanent human settlement on planet #4. From 2012 to 2015, we were told they would send a man or woman on a one-way trip to Mars! — ONE WAY— If you were the lucky one chosen to start that settlement on Mars, you would live out the remainder of your days on The Red Planet. Want to guess how many people signed up to die on Mars??? — The answer's at the bottom.

Isn’t that NUTS?! That, by the way, isn’t happening anymore. Mars One went bankrupt in 2019. But don’t worry, your space travel dreams can still be reached! Today, Virgin Galactic will give you an economy seat to space for less than $500K. But if you’d like to make a run to the International Space Station, Elon Musk will charge you $55 million! And yes, this has happened!!!

Space Jesus!

Scripture says Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection (Luke 24:51). This is such a big deal it was included in the Apostles’ Creed. But those of us with a child's curiosity will rightly ask, “What does that mean?” J.I. Packer, whom I used in my study, jokingly asks, “Does the Creed mean that Jesus was the first astronaut?” (Let’s pause there and marvel at AI madness.)

For those whose conscience is sensitive to images of Jesus, fear not. This is not Jesus; what this is, is absolute insanity. I mean, look at that funky eye.

No, Jesus was not an astronaut. But it would have been awesome if He was! Here is something you’ve never studied. (You had better things to do with your time.) Listen to how the word heaven is used in the Bible. Heaven can mean three different things. Heaven refers to the atmospheric heaven—this is where our birds fly. Then there’s the celestial heaven—this is where Elon flies. Then there’s the Divine Heaven, Third Heaven, or the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the unseen spiritual realm where God reigns. So, when we confess the Apostles’ Creed by saying, “Jesus ascended into Heaven,” what do we mean? Believers across centuries have been saying that Jesus is reigning at the right hand of God the Father in His Heavenly Kingdom. His ascension was a victorious return, a triumphant homecoming!

Jesus is still in that exalted position. But do you know what He’s doing up there? He celebrates and welcomes the faithful to God’s eternal kingdom while making intercession (prayer) for us on Earth. The Creed continues, “Jesus sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” Jesus’ intercession for those who believe isn’t a hopeful asking. We on Earth pray in hope. But Jesus, being one with the Father, is calling the shots. Remember, Christ is in authority. Jesus accomplished His earthly ministry and now sits in complete control. Sing along: “He’s got the whole world in His hands!” So, who or what can stop the ascended Lord? The answer… no one! Take courage, little Earthling—Jesus, our Lord, is our Heavenly Advocate.

This 2014 photo shows the International Space Station computer. I’m pretty sure my dad had those ThinkPad computers when I was 10 and learning how to chat with girls (likely not girls) on AOL.

Space to Confess

Here’s our problem. We often confess that Jesus ascended into heaven (lowercase h). Yes, Jesus was here long ago, but He’s gone now. As dumb as it may sound, your heart believes that Jesus is in that space suit way out there, inaccessible. Whatever authority He had is long gone. We believe in a limited lord—so far outside our space and time that He can’t do us any earthly good. We believe this when we’re late for school and stuck in traffic. This is what we feel when a doctor’s appointment looms over us. This is our “ye of little faith” moment.

Beloved, take courage. Jesus isn’t in some far-off outer space. He is alive and near. And He is interceding for all who believe — and for you who believe. And when death does take us, it’s only to give us into the arms of our Savior, where we will be with Him for all eternity.

With that, let’s pray in unison a corporate prayer of confession:

“Heavenly Father, we confess that we often imagine You as distant, far removed from our daily struggles. Jesus, King of Glory, forgive our doubting Your reign and intercession. Holy Spirit, draw our hearts closer to Christ so we may trust His power and presence, now and forever. Amen.”

Thanks for praying; God Bless You! I hope you’ll read and pray with us next Saturday at 10 a.m.

ANSWER: Mars One reported receiving over 200,000 applications from people worldwide who wanted to participate in this mission.