Read Ephesians 1:20–23
Questions from the Scripture text: In Whom did God’s mighty power work (Ephesians 1:20)? When? At what did He seat Him? In which places? Far above what for things (Ephesians 1:21)? And above which names? At what times? What has God put where (Ephesians 1:22a)? As what did He give Christ, and to whom (verse 22b)? What two things does Ephesians 1:23 call the church? What does verse 23 call Him?
How great is the power that is at work in believers? Ephesians 1:20–23 helps us prepare to hear Ephesians 2:1–5 proclaimed in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the power that is at work in believers is not merely like the power by which Christ sits enthroned in glory, but is the very same power by which He does so.
What is the exceeding greatness of God’s power toward us (Ephesians 1:19)? The same power by which He raised Christ from the dead. And, greater still—the power by which He seated Christ at His right hand in the heavenly places. This power did not merely restore life to a body and raise it from the grave. It raised this body and transported it through the heavens to the very throne of glory!
How far? Above all principality and power and might and dominion. Above the vast angel armies, above the most blazing of the seraphim, the most powerful of the cherubim, the highest of the arch angels. Above the living creatures and the whole holy host.
And the power that seated Christ there is the power that works in Ephesian believers. And American believers. Whom the Lord has joined to Jesus by faith.
It’s astonishing and humbling. Jesus is Head over all things, but the Lord has given Him as Head to the church. All things are under His feet, but we ourselves are His body. His beloved bride, as chapter 5 will teach. Hallelujah!
In His role as our Mediator, God has granted that Christ would be completed by His bride. Not that there is anything lacking in Him, but that He has chosen to take us as His very own body, of His flesh and of His bone. By reminding us that Jesus “fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:23), the Scripture reminds us that it would be a great blasphemy if we were the ones who claimed to be the “fullness of Him.”
But we are not the ones who claim it. God is the One who declares it. God is the One who designed it. God is the One who did it. How great is His love toward us, and How great is that power by which His love has decided to work in us!
For what part of your sanctification do you most need reminded of God’s powerful work in you?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for making Your own Son’s resurrection, ascension, and session, the proving grounds for the exceeding greatness of Your power toward us who believe. Grant that Your Spirit would frequently direct our thoughts to where He is, that we might be encouraged about the power that works in us here, and the power that He Himself wields there. We marvel that, whereas all things are being put under His feet, the place that You have given to us is to be members of His own body. Grant unto us joy and strength in this knowledge, for serving Him as a bride does her husband, or a body does its head, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP130 “LORD, from the Depths to You I Cried” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”
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