Christ is the Sovereign of the universe and a faithful High Priest. Christ was exalted not only in His resurrection and ascension, but also in His coronation. Mark 16:19 says, “……the Lord Jesus…..sat down at the right hand of God.” In Scripture the right hand is a symbol of power and authority. What is the extent of Christ’s authority? Ephesians 1:20-22 says, “[God] seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church.” Christ is the Sovereign of the universe. Christ is also exalted in His intercession for believers. He stands before the Father as the High Priest of His people. His first act was to send the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). Our sympathetic High Priest “has been tempted in all things as we are” (Heb. 4:15), and “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for [us]” (7:25). Christ’s intercessory work grants us faith, repentance, and forgiveness (see Heb. 4—9). Christ sits at his Father’s right hand, ever to plead for us, and to make our peace with God. Oh, how should our hearts be fired with love to Christ!” How intense is your love for Jesus Christ, our faithful Advocate? “Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that [you] may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
00Philip Holderhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngPhilip Holder2015-12-18 12:40:172015-12-18 12:40:17CHRIST'S CORONATION AND INTERCESSION
Christ’s resurrection and ascension were the first two steps of His exaltation. The first step on Christ’s progress from humiliation to exaltation was His resurrection. In Acts 13 Paul preached on the resurrection of Christ, declaring: “[God] raised up Jesus. . . . Therefore He also says . . . ‘Thou wilt not allow Thy holy one to undergo decay.’ For David, underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which the Law of Moses could not do” (vv. 33-39). Christ’s death and resurrection provided forgiveness and freedom from sin, the law, and death. Acts 1:9-11 records the second step in the exaltation of Christ. As a cloud received Christ from His disciples’ sight, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why are you looking into the sky? Jesus will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” Just before He ascended, Christ spoke these final words to His disciples: “You shall be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
Until He comes again, let’s be witnesses who maintain a positive testimony for the sake of the gospel. Praise God “who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
00Philip Holderhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngPhilip Holder2015-12-17 09:47:572015-12-17 09:47:57CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Christ’s humiliation displayed God’s wisdom. Somewhere along the path of Christ’s descent, you’d think He would have said to Himself, These people really aren’t worth redeeming. This is too degrading and humiliating! But the grace and love of God toward sinners was such that Christ stooped to die for you and me. At the end of Paul’s doctrinal survey of salvation in Romans, he said, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (11:33). He was in awe of God’s plan of salvation—a plan no man would have devised. We would not have allowed Him to be humiliated. We would have imprisoned or executed anyone who spit on Him, pulled His beard, mocked Him, or hurt Him. Our plan for the Messiah would have been very different from God’s plan, and, as a result no one could have been saved. It’s no wonder the psalmist said, “Thy judgments are like a great deep” (Ps. 36:6). God’s ways are unsearchable, His truths profound. And His plan to redeem us was accomplished by Christ’s humiliation.
Daniel prayed, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him” (Dan. 2:20). Like Daniel, worship the only wise God, who saved you.
CHRIST'S CORONATION AND INTERCESSION
/in Steadfast Hope“God highly exalted Him” (Philippians 2:9).
Christ is the Sovereign of the universe and a faithful High Priest. Christ was exalted not only in His resurrection and ascension, but also in His coronation. Mark 16:19 says, “……the Lord Jesus…..sat down at the right hand of God.” In Scripture the right hand is a symbol of power and authority. What is the extent of Christ’s authority? Ephesians 1:20-22 says, “[God] seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church.” Christ is the Sovereign of the universe. Christ is also exalted in His intercession for believers. He stands before the Father as the High Priest of His people. His first act was to send the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). Our sympathetic High Priest “has been tempted in all things as we are” (Heb. 4:15), and “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for [us]” (7:25). Christ’s intercessory work grants us faith, repentance, and forgiveness (see Heb. 4—9). Christ sits at his Father’s right hand, ever to plead for us, and to make our peace with God. Oh, how should our hearts be fired with love to Christ!” How intense is your love for Jesus Christ, our faithful Advocate? “Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that [you] may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION
/in Steadfast Hope“God highly exalted Him” (Philippians 2:9).
Christ’s resurrection and ascension were the first two steps of His exaltation. The first step on Christ’s progress from humiliation to exaltation was His resurrection. In Acts 13 Paul preached on the resurrection of Christ, declaring: “[God] raised up Jesus. . . . Therefore He also says . . . ‘Thou wilt not allow Thy holy one to undergo decay.’ For David, underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which the Law of Moses could not do” (vv. 33-39). Christ’s death and resurrection provided forgiveness and freedom from sin, the law, and death. Acts 1:9-11 records the second step in the exaltation of Christ. As a cloud received Christ from His disciples’ sight, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why are you looking into the sky? Jesus will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” Just before He ascended, Christ spoke these final words to His disciples: “You shall be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
Until He comes again, let’s be witnesses who maintain a positive testimony for the sake of the gospel. Praise God “who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
GOD'S UNFATHOMABLE WAYS
/in Steadfast Hope“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Christ’s humiliation displayed God’s wisdom. Somewhere along the path of Christ’s descent, you’d think He would have said to Himself, These people really aren’t worth redeeming. This is too degrading and humiliating! But the grace and love of God toward sinners was such that Christ stooped to die for you and me. At the end of Paul’s doctrinal survey of salvation in Romans, he said, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (11:33). He was in awe of God’s plan of salvation—a plan no man would have devised. We would not have allowed Him to be humiliated. We would have imprisoned or executed anyone who spit on Him, pulled His beard, mocked Him, or hurt Him. Our plan for the Messiah would have been very different from God’s plan, and, as a result no one could have been saved. It’s no wonder the psalmist said, “Thy judgments are like a great deep” (Ps. 36:6). God’s ways are unsearchable, His truths profound. And His plan to redeem us was accomplished by Christ’s humiliation.
Daniel prayed, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him” (Dan. 2:20). Like Daniel, worship the only wise God, who saved you.