THE CURRENT MINISTRY OF JESUS

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens" (Heb 7:25-16, NKJV).

Devotion 4 of 11

HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US

When He had obtained "eternal redemption for us," Jesus returned to heaven to minister the effectiveness of that redemption. His initial earthly ministry ended in deference to a greater ministry. He left the defiled place, and entered into the holy place. He came to earth to accomplish redemption; He returned to heaven to ensure His work was not in vain. "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb 9:12). It is inconceivable that an "eternal redemption" could "run on its own," so to speak. It took Jesus to achieve it, and it takes Him to administer it. No one could have been saved without Jesus dying for them upon the earth. No one will be saved without Jesus living for them in heaven. When Jesus was upon earth, His work was the important work. Now that He has returned to heaven, His work is still the important work. He entered the holy place to minister. He summons us into the holy place so He might minister to us. If we do not sit with Him in heavenly places, He cannot and will not minister to us. He is ministering in a heavenly sanctuary. If we expect to sit under His ministry, we must partake of the "eternal redemption," and then go unto Him without the camp" (Heb Heb 13:12-13), that He may minister the power and effectiveness of this great salvation to us.

HIS PRESENT EXALTED POSITION

Jesus has been exalted to accomplish an exalted ministry. The Father has given Him something to do that cannot be done upon earth. It must be accomplished within heaven. We require involvement from Him that cannot be accomplished on earth. We can only realize these things in "the heavenly places." Therefore, Jesus has been exalted. He deserved to be exalted, and therefore He was. His work required Him to be exalted, and therefore He was. He is not a mere Figurehead, sitting inactive upon a throne. Such a thought is completely out of harmony with the nature of God and His great salvation.

He is at the Father's right hand

Because of the nature of His work, and as a reward for the vicarious death He accomplished, Jesus is at the right hand of God the Father. He is there to work, and to bring His authoritative influence to bear upon the salvation of humanity. The Holy Spirit declares his exaltation to the right hand of God with power. "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19). "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:33). "Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at his own right hand in the heavenly places" (Eph 1:20). "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb 1:3). "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him" (1 Pet 3:22). The right hand of God is not only a place of honor, it is a place of activity! This is the working side of Deity! The Lord "saves" with His right hand (Psa 17:7). Therefore, we read of the "saving strength His right hand" (Psa 20:6). His "right hand" has "gotten Him the victory" (Psa 98:1). The significance of Jesus being at the Father's right hand is this: from that position He is accomplishing the salvational purpose of God.

The government belongs to Him!

The government of God has been given to Jesus--and it is an active government! The Lord is the "Governor among the nations" (Psa 22:28). Among the armies of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth, the Lord is working His will (Psa 115:3; 135:6). Since Jesus has expiated the sins of the world, the purpose of God has moved into high gear, and Christ Himself is managing the operation. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this " (Isa 9:6-7). "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon His shoulder; so He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open" (Isa 22:22; Rev 3:7). Our next lesson will deal at length with the current reign of Jesus. Suffice it to say, His reign is an active one. He is not waiting to assume the throne. He occupies it now! He is ruling and reigning in the interest of salvation, and those that have been wise enough to receive it.

-- TOMORROW: CHRIST'S HIGH PRIESTLY FUNCTION --