What a remarkable truth, that the One who rules the universe – Jesus Christ – is also the One who loves and leads His church!
“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:22-23)
God the Father has given this authority to His Son, as the means by which His glory is displayed through the church.
“…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 3:10)
Beloved, these truths reveal the profound identity and significance of the church, and thus the great privilege every Christian has as a member of Christ’s body! As we’ll continue to see in our study of Ephesians, these truths have deeply practical and relevant application for our daily lives as God’s people. In fact, the more we understand and savor the riches of God’s work revealed in Eph. 1-3, the more we’ll be eager and joyful in fulfilling the details of God’s will revealed in Eph. 4-6!
I love how Dr. Peter O’Brien, in his excellent commentary on Ephesians, expresses this:
“Clearly the apostle wants his readers to appropriate more fully ‘every spiritual blessing’ that has graciously been given to them in Christ. Paul wishes them to understand the place which they as God’s people have in the divine purposes. What has been done in Christ is for their benefit: God’s power is available for those who believe (v.19), and Christ’s rule over the universe is for their benefit (v.22). There are profound implications arising from all this. But for the moment let them grasp the wonder of God’s majestic purposes in His Son.” (pg. 126)
Amen, and amen!
Learning to grasp the wonder with you,
Greg