While pondering Ephesians 1:20 recently, the little word “when” set off fireworks in my mind.
Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
This jarred my mind. Jesus had a lot of power when he walked the earth. He did even more extraordinary things after his resurrection, though, like changing his appearance, appearing and disappearing, etc.
God wants us to know “what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead … ”
God energized (“wrought” – put into operation) His mighty power in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at His own right hand in the heavenlies.
Yes, I thought (and still do think) that Jesus had a LOT of power during his earthly ministry. But now his heavenly ministry goes far beyond that. Instead of just being at one place at a time on the earth, he can now work within each of his saints via the Holy Spirit of Christ within. He ever lives to make intercession for each one of us. He gives gifts to the church — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. He’s the mediator between God and man, and our advocate with the Father. All things are under his feet, and he presides over all the affairs of his Church.
It’s difficult to fathom the exceeding greatness of God’s power to usward who believe. I want to say, “Well, I have Christ’s power, but I don’t have his authority.” Yet, I can indeed walk with and in his authority, with the spirit working within. God is at work within me, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. He wants me to operate this exceeding great power which He energized in Christ in the resurrection.
Can this possibly be what Jesus was talking about when he said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do …” (John 14:12)?
Why?
” … because I go unto my Father.” That happened when God “raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenlies” (Eph. 1:20).
The term “resurrection power” has an entirely new meaning for me. I don’t fully comprehend it, but now I can begin to appreciate why Paul — who walked with extraordinary power — wrote in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection … ” As much as Paul already knew, and as much power as he walked with, he still strove to know the Lord Jesus more deeply. He still wanted to know more deeply the power of his resurrection.
Just thinking about it … I am undone!
Dear Heavenly Father, please enlighten the eyes of our understanding that we may know Christ’s resurrection power in our lives!
Happy Resurrection … every day!
