1 Peter 3:22 “Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”
The apostle Peter reminds his readers that Jesus is the one who suffered and died to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh (CRUCIFIED) but made alive by the Spirit,”) and was RESURRECTED from the dead (verse 21). He then reminds them of a spiritual truth that I believe is many times overlooked. He reminds them (and us) that Jesus ASCENDED to heaven and SITS at the right hand of God – a position of ultimate authority and power. His power is on display with angels, and authorities and powers being made subject to Him.
Let us not miss that a huge part of the story of Jesus is His EXALTATION. As Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost and again in Acts 5 the exaltation of Jesus was included in the message of the gospel.
Acts 2:23 “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 “whom God raised up, Acts 2:33 “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
Acts 5:30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Acts 5:31 “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
The Apostle Paul also tells of His exaltation writing in Philippians 2:9, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
One might wonder what difference His exalted position makes. Well, in His exalted position, sitting at the right hand of God, our incredible Savior is making intercession for us. Romans 8:34 says, “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 12:2 to be looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
And as you carry out the great commission be reminded that we go forth as His ambassadors because of His authority as all authority has been given to Him (Matt. 28:18)
Continue Strong exalting the EXALTED ONE,
And remember to DATE the Word