Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Ephesians 1:20-21 ... he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
JESUS' RESPLENDENT MAJESTY
When Jesus walked with the Emmaus disciples, they did not recognize Him. He looked like any other stranger visiting Jerusalem. Only His talking with them and opening up the Scriptures to them caused their hearts to burn within them.
But when they saw Him rising into the air and a cloud taking Him from their sight, they saw not just someone who was a survivor, but someone who was far above all the kingdoms of this world. He turned their gaze heavenward by His ascension so that they might be assured that no kings of the earth rising up, no rulers of the world taking counsel together would ever be able to touch His heel, much less bruise it, again!
In this world it so often seems that age, disease and chaos have the upper hand, that the wicked prosper, that the proud and violent ones have everything going their way. But it is not so. He who sits in the heavens is so far above them that He laughs at their puny efforts. And if they take our life, our goods, our good name, our family, He is still above all of them, our King, immortal, invisible, the only-wise God, who will rescue us from every evil deed and bring us safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen!
The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand: Alleluia!
And with His followers they see
Jesus' resplendent majesty. Alleluia!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 212:2)
