Hello fellow hivers, hope you're having a delightful weekend so far. We're having a beautiful day here perfect for reading outside in the cool breeze with perfect sunshine.
Recently in my times of meditation and read I have been drawn to some of the final words spoken by Jesus to his follows. These words as a believe can fill you with hope and joy. But also some will hear these words and be stuck by a sudden shock that we as Christians were left with marching orders from the King of kings.
So lets look at the passage.
Matthew 28:16-20 ESV
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Some will say why did Jesus say in verse 18 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me". Didn't Jesus already have all authority? Yes. Jesus did have all authority but what he was referring to is in his obedience to the Father in going to the cross for sinners he took back the authority given to the first man, Adam. The authority that Adam had forfeited to Satan in the garden when he questioned God's word and took of the tree. (Gen 2-3)
Jesus went to the cross as a perfect sacrifice taking on the sins of those that will have faith in him. (John 3:16) Once we as Christians have faith in the Lord being regenerated and in dwelt by the Holy Spirit we're called to go and "19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you". These are marching orders by the King of kings. Some will say but the millennial reign of Christ hasn't begun yet. And I would challenge this idea because what happens after this in the history of Christ Jesus.
Act 1:9-11
9 And when he(Jesus) had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Notice in this how Jesus was taken up to heaven in a cloud to take his seat at the right hand of God the Father. Now lets read what Daniel saw in his night vision about the one who looks like a son of man.
Daniel 7:13-14
13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the CLOUDS of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days(God the Father) and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."
So notice that Jesus(the son of man) comes to God the Father on a cloud just like he left the earth in Acts 1. In some versions (NASB) it even says "And he came up to the Ancient of Days". Now if Jesus' kingdom is waiting to be established why is he coming up on a cloud again if he was already seated by God the Father. This to some is Jesus taking his kingdom and sitting on his throne next to God the Father as his enemies are made a footstool under his feet which would be a reference to Psalm 110:1.
Psalm 110:1
1 The Lord says to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."
So how are Jesus' enemies being made a footstool?
through Christians fulfilling the Great Commission.
My friends the Gospel or the Good News is that Christ came to live the perfect life and die for sinners like you and me. And Jesus says "Repent and Believe". All you have to do is have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and he will give you everlasting life. (John 3:16-18, John 6:40)
Have faith in the Lord Jesus as your Lord and savior. Read his word and then share it will family, friends, and the world.
In doing so you could change the world for the better.
Christ is King! Amen.
If you enjoyed this or learned something new please leave a comment, like, or even some pizza.
God Bless you.