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 7:25-26, NKJV).

Devotion 11 of 11

FELLOWSHIP IN EXPECTATION

It would not be proper to conclude this contemplation without reference to Christ's expectation of His own return. When He comes again, He will receive us, taking us to Himself forever. It will be a glad day for the saved--but it will also be a glad day for our Savior. He is longing for us even more than we are longing for Him. He loved us, and gave Himself for us (Gal 2:20). He "washed us from our sins" and made us "kings and priests unto our God" (Rev 1:5-6). He is presently making "intercession" for us (Heb 7:25). These are not simply formalities with Jesus. His heart is in the work!

From henceforth expecting

When Jesus "had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever," He "sat down on the right hand of God" (Heb 10:12). But, he did not cease from activity, nor is He in thoughtless repose. The work is not yet over! The children are not yet in their eternal home. Thus, Jesus is waiting expectantly for the final and open subjugation of His enemies. At that time, He will gather us to Himself. From the time Jesus "sat down," He began anticipating the consummation of the ages. "From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool" (Heb 10:13).

No, not the Son

The precise time of our Lord's return has not been revealed. The reason for this condition is obvious: it provides an environment conducive to preparation. Every generation that has taken Christ seriously, has lived in expectancy of the imminent return of Christ. From another vantage point, no generation was encouraged to live as though the return was not going to be in their generation. Certain dispensationalists do a great disservice to the people of God by holding forth the fear of calamities as an incentive, rather than the return of the Lord. That return is the "blessed hope" of the church (Tit 2:11-12). The uncertainty of the time of His return does not take away from its glory. In fact, while we are in this world, it adds to the glory of it. Only the Father knows when the Son is returning. Not even the holy angels, noted for their wisdom and power, know of that day. "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels, but My Father only" (Matt 24:36). What is even more arresting, Jesus Himself does not know the "day and hour." "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father" (Mark 13:32). This word is so challenging, that some suppose Jesus did not know the day and hour ONLY when He was upon earth. Now, they surmise, He DOES know when He is returning, because He is omniscient--all knowing. The book of Mark was written between 50 and 70 AD. It is incredible that the Holy Spirit would have failed to explain our Lord's remark in view of Christ's exaltation. This was not the manner of the Spirit when inspiring other accounts to be written (John 7:37-39). A more acceptable view is that Jesus volunteered to lay aside this aspect of His Deity to fellowship with His people. His is now a fellowship of expectation. We are waiting, and He is too. We are longing for His return, and He is too. As if this were not enough, we are provided a view of the end of time from heaven's perspective. The Lord Jesus is said to be on "a white cloud," with a reaping "sickle" in His hand. This is the imagery of expectation; He is waiting for the harvest. When that time arrives, it is written, "And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe" (Rev 14:15). Observe that the Son of Man did not inform the angel; the angel informed the Son of man. It is true that Jesus will send forth the angels as reapers, "to gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity" (Matt 13:41). He will also send them to "gather together His elect from the four winds" (Matt 24:31). This does not take away from the words of our Lord in Mark 13:32. The angels still receive their orders from the Lord Jesus, their King as well as ours. The fellowship of Jesus with us in the expectancy of His return is a marvelous commentary on His love for us. HE IS CURRENTLY MINISTERING TO US, WHILE FELLOWSHIPPING WITH US!

CONCLUSION

How comforting to know that our Savior is active now, ministering in our behalf. He is our "Helper," a "very present Help in the time of trouble." He feeds and nourishes us, because this is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:1-2). From the sanctuary, He sends us grace to help in the time of need. He is active in our assemblies, ministering through the various members of the body. We do not have an idle Savior, because our condition forbids such a situation. Let every believer rejoice in an active Savior, taking full advantage of His ministry. You will be blessed in your effort. Now, live by faith, and enjoy the current ministry of Jesus.

-- TOMORROW: . . . AND YOU! -- -- MONDAY: New Series--PRESSING FORWARD (11 Lessons) --