Paul speaks of Jesus’ mighty power in Colossians 1:15-17 [RSV] when he says of Jesus, 15. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; 16. for in Him all things were created, in Heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. 17. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. The Holy Spirit also foretold of Jesus, the coming Messiah, being endowed with wisdom and knowledge and fear of the Lord: 9. He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and terrible is His name! 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures forever! (Psalm 111:9-10 [RSV])
Although Jesus was literally God in the flesh, He spent His entire life in humble obedience and submission to His Father while continually serving others. James, the brother of our Lord, tells us in James 4:10 [RSV]), “Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you.” Jesus Christ is the greatest example we have of self-humility, as well as being the greatest example we have of God elevating one to the highest of heights. David prophesied in Psalm 110:1 [RSV], “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” David was not speaking of himself, he was speaking of the Messiah to come when he uttered those words.
Because of the humility and complete obedience Jesus gave the Father, God exalted Jesus Christ to the zenith of all high places imaginable, Heaven itself: 20. …He raised Him from the dead and made Him sit at His right hand in the Heavenly places, 21. 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 that which is to come; 22. and He has put all things under His feet and has made Him the Head over all things for the church, 23. which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20b-23 [RSV]) The coming age Paul speaks of occurs when Jesus returns to gather His saints with Him and take them to His Father above and the fulfillment of Psalm 110:1 transpires: 23. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. 24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27. “For God has put all things in subjection under His feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection under Him,” it is plain that He is excepted Who put all things under Him. 28. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him Who put all things under Him, that God may be everything to everyone. (1 Corinthians 15:23-28 [RSV])
Although Jesus was literally God in the flesh, He spent His entire life in humble obedience and submission to His Father while continually serving others. James, the brother of our Lord, tells us in James 4:10 [RSV]), “Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you.” Jesus Christ is the greatest example we have of self-humility, as well as being the greatest example we have of God elevating one to the highest of heights. David prophesied in Psalm 110:1 [RSV], “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” David was not speaking of himself, he was speaking of the Messiah to come when he uttered those words.
Because of the humility and complete obedience Jesus gave the Father, God exalted Jesus Christ to the zenith of all high places imaginable, Heaven itself: 20. …He raised Him from the dead and made Him sit at His right hand in the Heavenly places, 21. 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 that which is to come; 22. and He has put all things under His feet and has made Him the Head over all things for the church, 23. which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20b-23 [RSV]) The coming age Paul speaks of occurs when Jesus returns to gather His saints with Him and take them to His Father above and the fulfillment of Psalm 110:1 transpires: 23. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. 24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27. “For God has put all things in subjection under His feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection under Him,” it is plain that He is excepted Who put all things under Him. 28. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him Who put all things under Him, that God may be everything to everyone. (1 Corinthians 15:23-28 [RSV])
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