One of the titles I carry in the Ophthalmology Department at Augusta University is Clinical Service Chief. While that may sound regal it is a position usually held by the department chair a title which I do not possess. When I started this lesson I wanted to write something like, “In such and such a year I became the Clinical Service Chief of our department.” The problem was that I did not know when I had taken that office; I actually had to open my CV to check1. The backstory is that while I have the title most of the decisions the Clinical Service Chief would make need to be made by the chairman, and they are. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am fine with this arrangement. Titles without the headaches. Yep, that works.
In our previous Ephesian’s verses, Paul wrote that God the Father raised Jesus Christ from the grave and seated him at his right hand. He had ended up in the grave as part of God’s plan from the beginning. But, what does it mean for Jesus to be at the right hand of God? Is he but a figurehead like the British Royalty? Or in a role like me, as the Clinical Service Chief? Does God the Father still run the show?Look at what Paul wrote.
22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23–ESV)
There is the answer. God, having exalted Jesus to the highest place, gave Jesus all the authority. That is what is meant by putting all things under his feet. I may be the Clinical Service Chief and the British Royalty may be called Queens and Kings (at the time of this lesson Queen Elizabeth II has been at it for 56 years) but we are little deputized. It is different in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is at the right hand and he is the acting king.
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