To say that the authority of Jesus was elevated to a higher level after his resurrection would be to greatly understate the event. The Father had previously given the Son “authority on earth” to forgive sins and to impart life, and Jesus had exercised that authority to great effect (Luke 5:24).
I like to think of the Father greeting Jesus upon his arrival in heaven with the words, “Well done, Son!” Well, why not? Jesus was the Servant of Isaiah 53 — that’s clear from Matthew 8:17 and other New Testament “fulfilled” texts. Who does not hope to hear the Lord say, “Well done, you good and faithful servant!” So, why not the Father to his beloved Son?
God was “well pleased” with His Son at the beginning of his ministry, so we can only imagine how pleased He was on the ascension of Jesus into heaven. I find it instructive to study the authority of Jesus on earth because it is a pointer to the authority that he has in heaven as well as on earth. Jesus sent out the Twelve after delegating to them his authority, and they healed the sick, raised the dead, and expelled demons. Not bad for a group of beginners! Was Jesus pleased with their efforts?
Of course! After redirecting their high spirits from dominion over demons to that of having their names written in the Book of Life, Jesus had his own euphoric moment! (Luke 10:21)
Our son Paul leads the church that Lorraine and I began in 1978 and led for 33 years. Is he doing well? Oh yes! Am I pleased to sit and listen to his preaching? Very pleased. I tell him now and then how much I enjoyed his message. He has achieved much in his secular work, but a word of approval closer to home would not be unhelpful. Our Lord lives with the eternal approval of his Father, so we fathers ought to show our sons how much we approve in Time.