certainly not going to die anymore. This his disciples proved with their eyes and
SERMON 214 155 may also, and very truly say that he is rejoicing with Christ in eternal rest. We mean the same apostle, of course; after all there aren't two Peters who are apostles, but only one. So we are saying about the same person, both that he's lying in the tomb in his body alone, and that in his spirit alone he is rejoicing with Christ.
It adds under Pontius Pilate; whether it's a detail to fix the true date, or to underline more definitely the humility of Christ, that he suffered such terrible things under a human judge, though he himself is going to come with such dread authority as judge of the living and the dead.
Rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father
8. But on the third day he rose again, in his true flesh, which however was certainly not going to die anymore. This his disciples proved with their eyes and hands, nor would such goodness deliberately mislead their faith, nor truth deceive it. But it's for the sake of brevity that it immediately adds that he ascended into heaven. Because he was with his disciples for forty days, in case if he were straightaway withdrawn from their sight, such a great miracle as his resurrection should be thought to be a mockery and an illusion.
Where is he now seated at the right hand of the Father? This is something we should look at carefully with the eyes of faith, or we may start thinking that he is immovably fixed in some seat, so that he isn't allowed to stand or walk. I mean, just because Saint Stephen said he saw him standing,19 it doesn't mean either that he saw something untrue or that he upset the words of this creed. Far be it from us to think such a thing, far be it from us to say it. But his dwelling in sublime and inexpressible bliss is signified in this way, by saying that he is seated there. Thus dwellings are also called seats, as when we ask where someone is, and the answer comes, "At his seat."20 And especially about the servants of God it is very often said, "That person has sat in this or that monastery for so many years"; that is, has rested, settled, dwelt. Nor is holy scripture ignorant of this way of speaking; that man Shimei was ordered by king Solomon to live in Jerusalem city, with the added threat that if ever he dared to leave it, he would pay the penalty; and we are told he sat, or resided there for three years, which means he lived there.21
As for the right hand of the Father, it isn't meant in the manner of the structure of the human body, as though he is on the Son's left, if the Son in terms of bodily positions and relationships is placed on his right. But the right hand of God means the inexpressible peak of honor and good fortune, as we read it said about wisdom: His left hand under my head, and his right hand embraces me (Sg 2:6).22 If earthly convenience has been lying underneath, then eternal felicity is embracing from above.