How was Jesus exalted? By sitting and interceding

We've been going through an old list of questions and answers contained
in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. In particular
we've been looking at how Christ was exalted by sitting in God's
presence – known as his session. We've seen that Christ's session at
God's right hand exalts him as it means Jesus has all favour from God,
fullness of joy and power over all things. This week I want to show you
that Christ should be exalted because he is at God's right hand making
intercession

If you are able to sit in the presence of someone important you should
be exalted. But how much more should you be exalted if you take that
time to intercede on behalf of others. For example, imagine you had been
given time with the Prime Minister of Australia and he was willing to
listen to you and maybe grant some of your requests. Now you could speak
about your own needs and hopefully get some help with them. Or you could
choose to talk about some of the needs of people who have much greater
problems than you do. If you did the former, that would be fine. But if
you did the latter and spoke about the needs of others, quite a few
people would want to honour you – particularly those you tried to help!

Now that is what Jesus has done. Jesus has been exalted to God's right
hand which means he has complete access to God the Father. And the Bible
tells us that,while he is there, Jesus makes requests for us: 'Christ
Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right
hand of God and is also interceding for us' (Romans 8:34).

What is Jesus interceding about? The verse before tells us that Jesus is
answering charges against us. See the verses together: 'Who will bring
any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was
raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for
us' (Romans 8:33-34). Satan is the great accuser but whenever he brings
a charge against us it is dismissed because God is the one who justifies
and God has Christ right there ready to intercede on our behalf.

What does this mean? Paul tells us in the next verses that we have
nothing to fear: 'For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus
our Lord' (Romans 8:38-39). If Christ is at God's right hand interceding
for you, then you will never be separated from God's love – what
marvelous news!

Thus Jesus deserves our exaltation. Not only is he at God's right hand,
but Jesus is interceding for us while he is there!

But how do you have Jesus intercede to God on your behalf? If you trust
that Jesus died for you then he intercedes to God for you by presenting
his life as a sacrifice for your sins. You are allowed to go free.

So have you trusted that Jesus died for your sins and now lives at God's
right hand to intercede for you? Do you exalt him accordingly?

Joel Radford.

How was Jesus exalted? By sitting with all power

We've been going through an old list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. In particular we've been looking at how Christ was exalted by his sitting in God's presence – known as his session. We've seen that Christ's session at God's right hand exalts him as it means Jesus has all favour from God and fullness of joy. This week I want to show you that Christ's session exalts him as it also grants him power over all things.

An online dictionary defines a right hand man as a person's most valuable assistant or supporter. For example, I would consider my wife, Jill, to be my 'right hand man' as she certainly is my most valuable assistant and supporter. And I'm sure she would say that I am her 'right hand man'.

Now if someone is your most valuable assistant, then you must have granted that person specific powers. If my wife is my 'right hand man' yet I don't allow her any power to make any decisions and take any actions, then she isn't my right hand man!

So if Jesus is God's right hand man, then God must have granted great power to Jesus so that Jesus can be of assistance.

And that is exactly what the Bible tells us. Peter describes Jesus as one 'who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him' (1 Peter 3:22). Peter is clear that Christ's session in heaven is one that grants him power over all created beings.

Moreover, the apostle Paul also describes Christ as having complete dominion whilst he sits at God's right hand. Speaking of God's power, Paul says: 'That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way' (Ephesians 1:19-23).

And the fact that the Christ is sitting at God's right hand with all power is not a new idea. It is known as far back as Psalm 110 where we read: 'The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth' (Psalm 110:1-3). Christ's dominion over his enemies fulfils this great prophecy.

And if Christ is sitting with all dominion, then he is exalted indeed.

So what are you going to do about the news that the Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God and now sits there with power over all things? The Bible encourages you to exalt Christ by submitting to his rule with repentance and faith. And if you do, then one day you will be resurrected to live forever with him.

Joel Radford.

How was Jesus exalted? By sitting with fullness of joy

We've been going through an old list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. In particular we've been looking at how Christ was exalted by his sitting in God's presence. We've seen that Christ's session at God's right hand gives him all favour from God. This week I want to show that Christ should be exalted because he has fullness of joy at God's right hand.

When people are exalted and then experience great joy in the situation, it gives them further exaltation. Whereas if someone is in a place of honour and they are sour about it, we don't feel that we should honour them. I saw a recent example of this when our family went on a cruise ship for our recent holidays. There was a competition that involved the whole ship and surprisingly my children won! When the winners were announced, Joshua and Philippa were allowed to go up on the stage to receive trophies. My wife commented that I got some good photos of them while they were up there, but it wasn't that hard – they didn't stop smiling the entire time they were on stage! And I think that when people saw their joy in exaltation, they clapped all the more.

When Jesus sat down in God's presence he did so with great joy. Peter says in Acts 2: 'But God raised him [Jesus] from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.  You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.  God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.  Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear' (Acts 2:24-33).

Peter quotes from Psalm 16 and proves that David was talking about Jesus. David prophesied that the Christ would be raised to life, go into God's presence and have great joy. And this is what he has done.

So Jesus deserves our exaltation by his sitting at the right hand of God. But he also deserves our exaltation because he sits there with joy. He certainly deserves the place of such favour.

So what are you going to do about the news that the Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God and now sits there with fullness of joy? The Bible encourages you to exalt him by submitting to his rule with repentance and faith. And if you do, then you also will be resurrected, ascend into God's presence and be filled with joy one day too.

So will you exalt Christ by submitting in repentance and faith?

Joel Radford.

How was Jesus exalted? By sitting at the right hand of God

We've been going through an old list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. In particular we've been looking at how Christ was exalted. We've seen that he was exalted by his resurrection and  ascension into heaven. Last week we also saw that Christ was exalted by his sitting in God's presence. This week I want to show that Jesus is exalted by sitting at the right hand of God.

If you are allowed into the presence of someone important, you are exalted. But your exaltation also depends on what you are allowed to do in their presence. If you are invited to take a seat, it signifies further favour. If you are allowed to sit near them it means you have been shown even more favour. So what is Jesus allowed to do in God's presence? Jesus is allowed to sit at God's right hand. But what does that mean? It shows that Christ is in the greatest of all positions of favour.

Throughout the Bible, the right hand of someone is often seen as their instrument for conveying favour. For example, when Joseph's sons are blessed by Israel (their grandfather), we read: 'Now Israel's eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them. Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too." Then Joseph removed them from Israel's knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel's left hand and Manasseh on his left toward  Israel's  right  hand, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm--may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth." When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head." But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations"' (Genesis 48:10-19).

This text illustrates the significance of Christ's exaltation to the right hand of God – the Bible could not describe Jesus in any greater place. Jesus has been given the highest of all favour by God the Father.

So what are you going to do about the news that the Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God? If God has shown him all favour then, you should too. And such favour begins by repenting of your sins and trusting that he died for you. So will you?

Joel Radford.

How was Jesus exalted? By sitting in God's presence

We've been going through an old list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. In particular we've been looking at how Christ was exalted. We've seen that he was exalted by his resurrection and  ascension into heaven. Another way that Christ is exalted is by his sitting at the right hand of God – also known as his session.

In our society, we recognise that those who are exalted are people who are allowed to be close to the rich and powerful. If a certain celebrity or powerful politician permits you to come into their presence and sit next to them, you are an exalted person. Otherwise their bodyguards would repel all your attempts to get near them.

So if Jesus is allowed to sit down at God's right hand, then God has exalted him. And that is exactly what Christ has done.

Jesus knew he would sit at God's right hand and told others this truth. In fact, it was Jesus' prediction that he would sit at God's right hand that led to his execution. At his trial before the Jewish priests, we read: 'The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.  What  do  you  think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered' (Matthew 26:63-66).

The Jewish priests knew exactly what Christ was claiming by saying that he would sit at God's right hand. Jesus was claiming a level of exaltation that they simply could not believe or tolerate. And so they killed him.

But the right hand of God is exactly where Jesus went. Peter tells the crowd: 'God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear' (Acts 2:32-33). And as a result we read people were 'cut to the heart ' and became Christians.

Moreover, Stephen actually sees Christ at God's right hand: 'But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him' (Acts 7:55-58). Once again we see that the Jews knew what sitting at God's right hand meant and couldn't bear the thought of such exaltation.

So what are you going to do about the news that the Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God? Are you going to react violently to such news as some of the Jews did in the Scriptures? Or are you going to believe in Christ and exalt him too?

Joel Radford.