Where is Jesus today?  He is not bodily here with us.  He is here spiritually (Matthew 18:20; John 14:23) but not bodily.  Bodily He has ascended into heaven.  Now while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9 NKJV)

Now we may respectfully enquire: what is He doing in heaven?  He has left us to cope with the trials of this fallen world.  What is He doing in heaven?  Is He doing anything for us?  Most certainly He is.  We shall concern ourselves with three things in particular, although there is more to be said than these.

1.  He PLEADS our case

The resurrection proves that the punishment for sin has been borne.  Christ no longer dies bearing the penalty deserved by the wicked.  He has done it completely.  Hence He is not on cross or in the grave.  He is risen.  Now he presents the evidence before the court of heaven: He shows His wounded hands and side and declares His people to be forgiven and even righteous.  In the face of the accusation of the enemy He intercedes, prays, pleads for us.  Who is he who condemns?  It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34 NKJV).  No doubt we could argue on the evidence on John 17 that Jesus prays other things for us, but this must be considered His chief petition and subject of His intercession: our acquittal and that we be declared righteous.  You do not need to fear the accusations of Satan.  You have done wrong - maybe a terrible thing.  Satan will make as much of it as he can and accuse you and try to undermine your joy of salvation.  Jesus stands to say something quite different.  He pleads your case.

2.  He PLEDGES our home

Many people - believers included - find heaven a difficult concept.  We can be so impressed by the reality of this material world that the next world seems unreal and in doubt.  Jesus has gone there bodily so that we may be assured that we too shall go to heaven.  "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2 NKJV) I'm rather pleased that our translation retains the idea of mansions to be inherited! When our fellows die there is nothing to encourage us concerning heaven in that their bodies disintegrate and we see nothing of the spirit.  But Jesus is different.  He was seen to be taken to heaven.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."  (Acts 1:10-11NKJV).  He let us know that there is a heaven to go to.

3.  He POURS OUT His Spirit

On the day of Pentecost Peter specifically associated the ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear." (Acts 2:33 NKJV) This is a distinctive of the New Covenant.  The Old Covenant was characterised by ceremony in contrast to the New, characterised by the Spirit.  John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptise you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.  He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  (Luke 3:16 NKJV)   On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.  (John 7:37-39 NKJV) The Holy Spirit was active in the Old Testament, but now there is a profusion and plenty.  Baptism (of the Spirit) suggests being awash - plenty.  If your joy, assurance and power are mean, it can be otherwise.