Word@Work Eph41 - Ephesians 4:8-10
Published: Fri, 11/21/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
CAPTIVATED SIGNPOSTS
Ephesians 4:8-10 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) (NIV)
The imperial conquerors of the great ancient empires like Assyria, Persia, Greece and Rome made it quite clear who had won the battle. They would parade the captured soldiers in a chained procession so that everybody could see the scale of the victory. Then, in order to show the newly subdued city or country that his rule would be of great benefit to them, the victor would give away a part of the booty to the townsfolk, as well as to his own soldiers.
These verses that pick up on Psalm 68:18 show the powerful majesty of God in saving us. He has captivated us with His love, and we have been only too glad to exchange the chains of sin's bondage for the joy of being bound to Christ. Not only does the Lord use His saved people to be recognised by the world and the church, as people who are willingly linked to Him by love - He also gives them to the church as special gifts to be used in His campaign of saving more people in the world.
The Lord Jesus Christ (who is now ascended in heaven) had first descended to earth to die on the cross ... so that the whole universe might recognise that He is the Lord of all. And people around you (in your part of the universe) should come to know how wonderful Jesus is - because of you. He has given you, as a special gift to your family, church, Christian Fellowship, prayer group ... and to your colleagues and workmates. It may seem a bit far fetched that the God of eternity would come to earth so that you might receive His love and then be a broadcast service from heaven - but it is so! So dust off the shabby confidence and recognise that you are not supposed to be the answer to everything, but you are a living signpost to point others to the One who is.
Prayer: Father God. I do not deserve any of the kindness You have shown to me. And I do not feel worthy to be a part of Your gift to the world. But if You say I am, then help me to overcome my self-obsession and inverted pride. Help me to be glad to be Your gift, and may I glorify you as I live and work and speak and pray, in my workplace. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
The imperial conquerors of the great ancient empires like Assyria, Persia, Greece and Rome made it quite clear who had won the battle. They would parade the captured soldiers in a chained procession so that everybody could see the scale of the victory. Then, in order to show the newly subdued city or country that his rule would be of great benefit to them, the victor would give away a part of the booty to the townsfolk, as well as to his own soldiers.
These verses that pick up on Psalm 68:18 show the powerful majesty of God in saving us. He has captivated us with His love, and we have been only too glad to exchange the chains of sin's bondage for the joy of being bound to Christ. Not only does the Lord use His saved people to be recognised by the world and the church, as people who are willingly linked to Him by love - He also gives them to the church as special gifts to be used in His campaign of saving more people in the world.
The Lord Jesus Christ (who is now ascended in heaven) had first descended to earth to die on the cross ... so that the whole universe might recognise that He is the Lord of all. And people around you (in your part of the universe) should come to know how wonderful Jesus is - because of you. He has given you, as a special gift to your family, church, Christian Fellowship, prayer group ... and to your colleagues and workmates. It may seem a bit far fetched that the God of eternity would come to earth so that you might receive His love and then be a broadcast service from heaven - but it is so! So dust off the shabby confidence and recognise that you are not supposed to be the answer to everything, but you are a living signpost to point others to the One who is.
Prayer: Father God. I do not deserve any of the kindness You have shown to me. And I do not feel worthy to be a part of Your gift to the world. But if You say I am, then help me to overcome my self-obsession and inverted pride. Help me to be glad to be Your gift, and may I glorify you as I live and work and speak and pray, in my workplace. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
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