Coffee With The Lord

From eternity past into eternity future… “The Jesus story! A manger and beyond!” His exalted position to the Father’s right hand!

Wow! The story of Christmas begins with the Eternal Son of God existing with the Father in the glories of heaven… then Jesus came to earth, identified with humanity, being born in the humblest of circumstances as a babe in a stable manger… His identification with us continued throughout His earthly life and ended with His death on the cross for our sins… But He conquered death through the power of God and lives forever! … And then the reflection for today – He ascended from earth back to heaven and assumed His rightful place of power, dominion, and authority at the Heavenly Father’s right hand! What a story of “rags to riches” – from humble servant to royal authority!

Too many passages of Scripture to cite on the subject but here’s a sampling… I urge you to look them up and reflect upon the theme “from eternity past into eternity future – the Jesus story! The exalted position of Jesus TODAY at the Father’s right hand!”

What’s He doing there? Well several things…
• He’s assumed once again His rightful place as God – a place of honor and authority as a member of the Trinity! (Matthew 26:63-64; Mark 14:62; Luke 16:19; 22:69; Acts 7:55-56; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22)
• From that position of authority He is granting forgiveness of sin to all who repent and believe. (Acts 5:30-31)
• It is from there that He has poured out His Spirit on those who believe and receive. (Acts 2:32-35)
• He is there “interceding” on our behalf (i.e. pleading the benefits of His death, burial and resurrection on our behalf). (Romans 8:31-34; Hebrews 8:1-6; 10:11-14)
• From that exalted position Jesus becomes our great encourager in our journey from earth to heaven and becomes the focus of hearts and values! (Hebrews 121-4; Colossians 3:1-5)

So, here’s the awesome newsbreak… The Eternal Son of God who humbled Himself and became one of us and was born in a manger, lived a sinless life among us and was ultimately crucified on a cross for our sin… Rose from the grave and is now exalted in heaven to the Heavenly Father’s right hand! Gotta tell you, based upon what the Bible says, I’m really glad He is back there in His rightful, exalted position of power and authority on our behalf!

Ever go to bed at night to a threatening sky and all during the night see the flash of lightening, hear the sharp crack of thunder, and the pounding of rain… only to wake in the morning to the bright smile of the sun and the fragrance of spring?
That’s what the resurrection of Jesus accomplished in our world! And to those who believe on Him it is more than simply a wish… it is a confident expectation (“hope” by the Bible’s definition of the term)!
The Eternal God, manifested Himself as a babe in a manger and lived among us in a sin-corrupted, pain diseased world, filled with oppression and violence. Down through the centuries until today the situation has not gotten any better… the sky of human culture is threatening, hope is fading…
But Jesus conquered death! His resurrection brings hope! The “Sun” (really “Son”) has “risen” and hope abounds in the face of the storm clouds of sin, despair, and judgment! What Jesus accomplished with His resurrection changes everything!

1 Corinthians 15:16-22 puts it this way…
“If the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep (died) in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied! But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive!”

A defining event – most people have one in their lifetime – an event that above all others people would associate with their life. That defining event may be accurately self-identified or others identified. It’s telling when both self-identification and the identification of such an event by others intersect and coalesce!

That happened in the life and mission of Jesus! If I were to show you a cross, what would immediately come to your mind? My hunch? (No more than that)… my prediction? You’d say “Jesus Christ!” In a very real way it was and is the “defining event” of His life. There were other very, very significant events to be sure… many of them absolutely critical to our salvation (like the resurrection, for example!) but it is the cross that occupied his mind and focuses our attention and association as well.

The defining event of Jesus life… His redemptive death on the cross!

He’s the one who, when speaking of His death, said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, but for this purpose I have come to this hour! Father glorify your name!” (John 12:27)

His redemptive death on the cross is the focus of our communion observance… Apostle Paul emphasized: “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Two Greek prepositions dominate the Bible’s description of the significance of the redemptive death of Jesus… “anti” and “huper.”

Where “Anti” is used it focuses most upon the fact that he died “in our place.” In a real way he died so we could live. His death was “substitutionary” – we deserved to die for our sins, but He took our place, He was the “Passover lamb” who died that we might live!

Where the Greek preposition “huper” is used it emphasizes especially that Christ’s death was “on our behalf” – for our benefit! Christ died to provide forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation and eternal life! Without His sacrifice we’d be lost and condemned! But His redemptive sacrifice opened up a doorway into incredible, eternal blessing and benefit!

Oh it’s time for worship! For thanksgiving! For commitment! Today I’m remembering and reflecting on the “defining event” of my Savior and yours – the cross of Jesus Christ!