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Ephesians 1:22–23
“[God] put all things under [Jesus’] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
God installed the Lord Jesus Christ as Ruler over creation when our Savior ascended into heaven to sit at the Father’s right hand (Eph. 1:15–21). Because Jesus is the Son of God, one in essence with the Father and Holy Spirit, He has always possessed full authority over all in His deity. As God incarnate, Jesus in His humanity receives a share in this cosmic authority after the successful completion of the work that the Father gave to Him. Thus, He could tell the disciples that all authority in heaven and on earth was given to Him, and Paul could say that the Father gave Jesus the name above all names in His exaltation (Matt. 28:18–20; Phil. 2:5–11).
In the ascension and session—sitting at God’s right hand—of our Savior, several things were accomplished. First, Jesus attained the very goal for which God had made human beings—namely, to exercise holy dominion over creation (Gen. 1:26–28; Ps. 8; Heb. 2:5–18). Had Adam never sinned, humanity would be set over creation. When Adam fell, we were made incapable of securing our rightful place as God’s vice-regents. Jesus came to succeed where Adam failed, to rescue our humanity from its state of sin and misery so that we could be the rulers over creation in Him.
Second, in light of the fall and salvation, Jesus actually received a greater authority for Himself than Adam would have attained if he had never sinned: the authority to grant eternal life (John 17:1–2). Such an authority would be unnecessary if mankind had not transgressed God’s law, for no salvation would be necessary. But because the granting of eternal life is a work of Jesus in both His deity and humanity (He died as a man to save us), He now has authority in both natures to save His people.
Third, this authority is given to the God-man for the purpose of His mediatorial reign. This consists of our Redeemer’s rule to defeat His and our enemies and to establish His church. Paul makes reference to it in Ephesians 1:22–23, where we read that God gave Christ as “head over all things to the church.” As God, the Son reigns over all things as the Almighty King, directing the course of world events. As the God-man, the Son reigns over all things to increase His church and lead it in its victory against the very gates of hell (Matt. 16:13–20). In His mediatorial reign, Jesus is bringing the nations into subjection, providing all that the church needs by the power of the Holy Spirit, and preserving His elect in faith.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Heidelberg Catechism 51 says that Christ’s mediatorial reign benefits us in these ways: “First, through his Holy Spirit he pours out gifts from heaven upon us his members. Second, by his power he defends us and preserves us from all enemies.” It is comforting indeed to know that Jesus empowers us by His Spirit and is protecting us from those enemies who would try to snatch us out of His hand.
For further study
- Psalm 110
- Acts 1:8
- 1 Corinthians 15:25
- Colossians 1:18
The bible in a year
- Psalms 129–132
- 1 Corinthians 8