CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM After Jesus had risen from the dead and commissioned His disciples, "He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mk 16:19). Peter proclaimed that Christ had been "exalted to the right hand of God" (Acts 2:33). With great power he affirmed, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified" (Act 2:36, NASB). He was made "Lord" in the sense of sovereignty, and "Christ" in the sense of Saviorhood. His exaltation is in order to the affection of salvation. In that process, all of His enemies will become His footstool (Heb 1:13; 10:13). This is because they are obstacles to that salvation – obstacles that will be put down and utterly frustrated.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE THERE SHALL BE NO END, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this!" (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Devotion 27 of 36
A most marvelous portrayal of our Savior's exaltation is found in the first chapter of the book of Ephesians. There the Spirit affirms both the fact and the reason for the elevation of the Son. God, it is affirmed, raised Jesus Christ "from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be Head over everything for the church" (Eph 1:20-22, NIV).
There is no power or authority that is not directly under the administration of the Lord Jesus Christ! The only exception to this is the Father Himself, Who put all things under Christ (1 Cor 15:27). Notice the extensiveness of the authority placed under the exalted Jesus. The KJV refers to "all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named." The NASB and NIV mentions "all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name (title, NIV) that is named." This is influential power in its totality, whether coercive or beneficent. Both the seen and unseen worlds are included – "every name that is named, not only in this world, but that which is to come!"
Elsewhere the Spirit affirms that every level of power was actually created by and for the Son. "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him" (Col 1:16, NASB). Now that Jesus has been "exalted," these powers are answerable to Him. Mind you, He has been exalted as "the MAN Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5). It is humiliating beyond imagination that wicked powers must submit to Christ – but they must. That is why a sure escape accompanies every temptation (1 Cor 10:13). If all power was not subject to Christ, this could not be the case!
Satan, together with all of his under rulers, cannot intrude into the will of God, thwart it, or cause one soul that is following Jesus to fail! He is "seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet 5:8), but he cannot consume those protected by the "Good Shepherd!" He is incapable of separating us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:37-39).
Consider that Jesus is the appointed "Head over everything FOR the church." It is true that He is over the Church itself – but that is not the point of this text. He has been given "to the church" as One over every form of rule and power. Wicked powers are held in check by Him, and holy powers are marshaled to minister to the saints (Heb 1:13-14). He rebukes the devourer and commands a blessing (Mal 3:11; Psa 133:3). No wicked power, be it earthly or from the unseen realms, can proceed with evil intent when rebuked by Jesus! Likewise, no blessing sent by Jesus to His people can be thwarted by inimical powers. He is head over all things for the church!
The presence of Jesus at the right hand of God gives the advantage to the believer! The purpose of His reign is to "bring many sons to glory" (Heb 2:10). Our Lord does not reign to underwrite superior political empires. His purpose is not to guarantee the spread of benevolence. He is ruling to implement God's great salvation – that is WHY He has been exalted to the Father's right hand.
A modicum of thought will confirm this to be the case. Prior to the Word becoming flesh, He possessed "equality with God." In the "form of God," He had power over all. Satan could not impose his will upon "the Word," nor could he successfully thwart Divine intent. When Scripture affirms all power has been given to Jesus Christ, it does not mean He had no power before! His exaltation followed His humiliation, when He took upon Himself the form of a Servant (Phil 2:5- 8). Now, as a glorified Man, He rules in the behalf of those He is bringing to the Father. His Sovereignty is in the interest of those being conformed to His own Image! Having passed through the shadowy valley of earth, He now is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities: (Heb 4:15). Because of this circumstance, His ministry is effectual in our behalf. First, He knows the resources required to survive the onslaught of the devil. Second, He empathizes with us because He too "suffered, being tempted" (Heb 2:18).
How marvelous the reign of Jesus! It has been instituted for our salvation! His reign is the reason no believer will be ashamed or confounded (Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:6). This is why Satan cannot hide the way of escape that accompanies every temptation! It is why we can resist the devil, experiencing him fleeing from us (James 4:7). Were it not for the exaltation of the Son, we would not be able to "keep the faith," "run with patience the race set before us," or "be faithful until death" (2 Tim 4:7; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 2:10). Our "labor is not vain in the Lord" because He is reigning over all of our enemies, as well as ministering spirits that assist us (1 Cor 15:58).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a salvation that is sure, a hope that is certain, and an objective that will be realized.
-- Tomorrow: