Seeing Jesus
Colossians 3:1 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Ephesians 1: 19-22 (ESV)
….according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and domain and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church….
As we continue to ‘set our minds on things that are above’, let us look up at Jesus himself in his risen glory. Often, when we think of Jesus, we see him as a man as he was on earth, but maybe find it harder to visualise him as the Lord of Glory.
He is now ‘sitting at the right hand of the majesty on high’ and is ‘the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.' (1) He is highly exalted and given ‘the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow..'(2) He is ‘the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities..... And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.' (3)
Wow! Surely seeing him as he now is, builds our faith and develops our worship!
One day we will all appear before him but we do not need to fear because Jesus is also the great high priest …..’For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.' (4)
So, in acknowledging his supreme authority, we need to stand in reverence and humility before him.
Prayer - Help us Holy Spirit to see and know our Lord Jesus in all his glory and bow before him in worship and awe. Change us, we ask, day by day, to become more like him.
(1) Hebrews 1:3 (2) Philippians 2:9-11 (3) Colossians 1:15-18 (4) Hebrews 4:15-16