Fifth Sunday after Easter – Friday
And sat on the right hand of God. – Mark 16:19.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Savior, has ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father. This is the highest exaltation possible. Our Lord Jesus Christ, now without reserve, partakes of all divine majesty. God has “set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the Church” (Ephesians 1:20-22).
Christ Jesus, who is the Head over all things, unto whom is given all power in heaven and in earth, He is the Head of His beloved Church. And He is not alone at God’s right hand. The whole Church on earth, St. Paul writes, is seated with Him there in glory. “[God] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Yes, we Christians are still physically, bodily here on earth, but God in Christ Jesus has already “reserved” (I Peter 1:4) our certain seats in heaven. For the members of His beloved Church, He bestows His sure, wonderful, marvelous grace. And this, His grace, is wedded with His divine power, and so He gathers, keeps, governs, and protects us, His beloved Christians. He makes “all” things work together for our “good” (Romans 8:28). He governs all things so that they will work together for our “good.” It is most certainly true: All things do work together for “good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (v. 28b).
Christ Jesus indeed sits at the right hand of God and is the Head over all things, including being the Head of His beloved Christian Church. What shall we lack when we are His own? With strong compassionate hands and with divinely gracious providence, He leads us through this world into the world to come, over which He is set, as well as over this world. Us and our life, and all things that may in any way concern our life, He holds as with thousand reins in His mighty, divine hands, and guides all things for our everlasting salvation. Christian, Christian, in true faith, “in all Thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
PRAYER – I commit myself into Thy hands, exalted, omnipotent, ascended, and living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thou art the Head; I am a member of Thy body. Continue to keep, govern, protect, guide, lead, and direct me through all things in this life and then bring me safely to my heavenly home. “My times are in Thy hand” (Psalm 31:15). Amen.
We thank Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend, that Thou didst into heaven ascend.
O blessed Savior, bid us live, and strength to soul and body give. Hallelujah!
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Ascended to His throne on high, hid from our sight, yet always nigh;
He rules and reigns at God’s right hand, and has all power at His command. Hallelujah!
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The man who trusts in Him is blest, and finds in Him eternal rest;
this world’s allurements we despise, and fix on Christ alone our eyes. Hallelujah!
(Hymn 223, st. 1, 2, 3; TLH)
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