The Apostle's Creed summarizes the most important aspects of Jesus' life. It tells us that he was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and was buried, and that on the 3rd day he rose from the dead. This was his earthly ministry.
Then he ascended to heaven.
One wonders what Jesus is doing now.
The Creed tells us he currently sits at God's right hand. This is royal language harkening back to an era when Kings were absolute rulers and could choose an honored person to sit at the most favorable spot: next to him on his right. Anyone privileged enough to be seated in this special place was highly honored and had the King's ear.
Ephesians 1. 19-23 tells us that Jesus is seated in this honored place and now has authority far above any ruler, dominion, power, etc. Basically Jesus has been enthroned next to the King and given unlimited authority over the lesser authorities of this world.
And Jesus, having the ear of the King, is regularly talking to the King on your behalf.
Any problem we have in this life must be seen in light of the absolute authority of the one we serve, and the active intercession that is going on for us.
This powerful Jesus is chatting with the Father about your challenges. This is truly good news. What might those challenges be?
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The rest of the story is that the throne room is not a distant place for those in Christ, according to Paul because of Jesus' righteousness on us by faith we may approach the throne of grace boldly. So it is close up yet with fear we approach where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and bring our challenges to Our Father. The challenges I need to bring continually is to wear Christ more than wearing the "old carnal man". Another challenge I would bring is to hear clearly what my Father's will is for me, for our church and for The Church, so that I might pray more accurately and line myself up with it more accurately.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest challenge I see (in my own life, of course, as well as all of us) is putting Him first in everyday life. It's easy to be "Christian" on Sunday, at small group, when talking to Christian friends, etc. It's more difficult at home in our everyday decisions (and at work, school, family gatherings, etc). How do I continually make decisions, big and small, that are in line with God's will? How am I following His commands to love Him first and others second (and myself way down the list...)? Am I acting like Jesus everyday? That is what I would most need Jesus' help with. I would pray that God would intervene in my life and mold me into a Christ-like person, in spite of myself.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't there Sunday, but I can answer this one anyway...That's easy for me - challenge is parenting. I hate it when I see something negative in my kids and go "wow that came from me". Modeling Christ to our children is a big job - well, not that anyone can do it perfectly - but a lofty goal indeed. Our kids eyes and ears do not turn off, they're seeing if our actions and lifework is in alignment with our "preaching". So like Joey said - "Am I acting like Jesus?"... "do I have the patience of Jesus?"... "do I speak like Jesus?"... "am I watching what Jesus would watch on TV?"..."do I work like Jesus or am I wasting time?"... and on and on it could go.
ReplyDeleteThen the failings of that challenge just might be my next challenge... coming to God with that failing asking for his grace (the easier part) and most challenging of all accepting that grace - it may be new everyday... but my tendency is to lay guilt on myself and then, occasionally, lay guilt on myself for laying guilt on myself. Ya know the drama team's metaphor from Easter - walk out of the prison cell! Anyway... yeah so what Joey said "Make me more like you".