The Glory in the Selflessness of the Son
1 Corinthians 15:24-28
Have you ever been in a position of power? A position where you were a director or leader over people? How did you react when it came time to give that position up? Were you relieved that the pressure was off? Did you feel a sense of release? Or perhaps you enjoyed that position. You could direct things to go the way you thought they should go. You could orchestrate people to do your bidding. You could draw up your schedule the way you wanted to. Did you miss that when it came time to give it up? Do you miss wielding that kind of power?
God has given all authority to His Son, putting "all things in subjection under his feet." Both in heaven, and on earth, there is nothing that escapes the rule and reign of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:18). The glory that is seen in his sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection is displayed in his position at the right hand of the Father (Heb. 12:2 ), where he reigns over all authorities everywhere of all time (Col 1:15-20). Not only does his reign over the rulers and authorities, but by his death and resurrection, he put them to open shame, showing forth to all their true essence of weakness and inadequacy (Col. 2:15). Jesus is truly both Christ and Lord (Acts 2:36). There is no other as mighty and as merciful as him.
Yet, there is one greater than him, who has given him all his power. Jesus recognizes this. Thus when he came he often spoke "I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me" (Jn. 8:28; cf. 5:19, 30). Therefore, because of the great love he has for his Father, because of his humble recognition of his function, he takes the power he has been given, and in the end, turns and gives it right back to the Father, lovingly subjecting himself to his Father's rule.
What a glorious, selfless Savior have all those who name the name of Christ Jesus!
Should that not spur us to awe-inspiring worship? What more could direct us to acknowledging the greatness of our Savior and Lord than to see him, with all power, willingly give it up to his Father, because he knew that that power was not his to use as he wished? How do we think of and use the minute bit of power he has given us in our roles and responsibilities?
Do we see them as gifts from God, to be used with all humility with the knowledge that, though we are in charge, we are really not in charge? Or do we see them as an avenue to create our little world, where we want to have everything as we think it should be?
May God grant us the grace to acknowledge Christ's supreme power and passionate submission to lead us to awe-filled worship and rejoicing that would bring about our humble utilization of His many gifts.
Have you ever been in a position of power? A position where you were a director or leader over people? How did you react when it came time to give that position up? Were you relieved that the pressure was off? Did you feel a sense of release? Or perhaps you enjoyed that position. You could direct things to go the way you thought they should go. You could orchestrate people to do your bidding. You could draw up your schedule the way you wanted to. Did you miss that when it came time to give it up? Do you miss wielding that kind of power?
God has given all authority to His Son, putting "all things in subjection under his feet." Both in heaven, and on earth, there is nothing that escapes the rule and reign of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:18). The glory that is seen in his sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection is displayed in his position at the right hand of the Father (Heb. 12:2 ), where he reigns over all authorities everywhere of all time (Col 1:15-20). Not only does his reign over the rulers and authorities, but by his death and resurrection, he put them to open shame, showing forth to all their true essence of weakness and inadequacy (Col. 2:15). Jesus is truly both Christ and Lord (Acts 2:36). There is no other as mighty and as merciful as him.
Yet, there is one greater than him, who has given him all his power. Jesus recognizes this. Thus when he came he often spoke "I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me" (Jn. 8:28; cf. 5:19, 30). Therefore, because of the great love he has for his Father, because of his humble recognition of his function, he takes the power he has been given, and in the end, turns and gives it right back to the Father, lovingly subjecting himself to his Father's rule.
What a glorious, selfless Savior have all those who name the name of Christ Jesus!
Should that not spur us to awe-inspiring worship? What more could direct us to acknowledging the greatness of our Savior and Lord than to see him, with all power, willingly give it up to his Father, because he knew that that power was not his to use as he wished? How do we think of and use the minute bit of power he has given us in our roles and responsibilities?
Do we see them as gifts from God, to be used with all humility with the knowledge that, though we are in charge, we are really not in charge? Or do we see them as an avenue to create our little world, where we want to have everything as we think it should be?
May God grant us the grace to acknowledge Christ's supreme power and passionate submission to lead us to awe-filled worship and rejoicing that would bring about our humble utilization of His many gifts.
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