Word@Work 1Pet49 - 1 Peter 3:21b-22
Published: Thu, 07/02/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
JESUS IS SUPREME
1 Peter 3:21b-22 ... Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (NIV)
Where is Jesus today and what is He doing? Some people, who claim to follow Jesus, just try to follow His example and obey His teaching as recorded in the Bible. That is, of course, a very good thing to do, but it misses a vital dimension. Jesus is a real living person and not just a wise author. Although the Bible forbids us to try to make contact with the dead (cf Deut 18:10-12), Jesus has been raised from death - so that we might have a relationship with Him.
Peter tells us that Jesus is in heaven with God the Father. '...at God's right hand', means that He is the all-powerful executive of God's purposes. Jesus is so powerful that every angel and other spirit beings, including demons, are inferior to Him in power and authority - they are all in submission to Him. So, Jesus is the sovereign ruler over everything and everybody. If we belong to Him, as a born-again child of God, we have immediate access to chief executive of the universe. Until we see Him, when He comes again, we can be confident that Jesus is working effectively to establish his Kingdom; providing for His people and protecting them from evil.
However much you may suffer, Jesus is there to intercede and act on your behalf. No demon can tempt you without permission from Jesus, and He is there to give you the strength to overcome (cf 1 Cor 10:13). Peter was writing to people whose confidence may have been battered by suffering; so he assures the church that however black things may look, Jesus is supreme! So whatever your personal circumstances at work or home, remember that Jesus is greater (cf 1 John 4:4)! Keep on obeying Him, but don't forget that the power to overcome does not lie in your strength alone, but in His supreme power (cf John 16:33).
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for giving supreme power to the Lord Jesus Christ. May I not only follow His teaching but also trust His powerful and gracious intervention so that I may find your provision and protection each day. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Where is Jesus today and what is He doing? Some people, who claim to follow Jesus, just try to follow His example and obey His teaching as recorded in the Bible. That is, of course, a very good thing to do, but it misses a vital dimension. Jesus is a real living person and not just a wise author. Although the Bible forbids us to try to make contact with the dead (cf Deut 18:10-12), Jesus has been raised from death - so that we might have a relationship with Him.
Peter tells us that Jesus is in heaven with God the Father. '...at God's right hand', means that He is the all-powerful executive of God's purposes. Jesus is so powerful that every angel and other spirit beings, including demons, are inferior to Him in power and authority - they are all in submission to Him. So, Jesus is the sovereign ruler over everything and everybody. If we belong to Him, as a born-again child of God, we have immediate access to chief executive of the universe. Until we see Him, when He comes again, we can be confident that Jesus is working effectively to establish his Kingdom; providing for His people and protecting them from evil.
However much you may suffer, Jesus is there to intercede and act on your behalf. No demon can tempt you without permission from Jesus, and He is there to give you the strength to overcome (cf 1 Cor 10:13). Peter was writing to people whose confidence may have been battered by suffering; so he assures the church that however black things may look, Jesus is supreme! So whatever your personal circumstances at work or home, remember that Jesus is greater (cf 1 John 4:4)! Keep on obeying Him, but don't forget that the power to overcome does not lie in your strength alone, but in His supreme power (cf John 16:33).
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for giving supreme power to the Lord Jesus Christ. May I not only follow His teaching but also trust His powerful and gracious intervention so that I may find your provision and protection each day. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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