174. What does the state of exaltation mean for our understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done?
It highlights the full and deep sense in which Jesus, as our Brother, has been exalted by God the Father over sin, death, and the devil so that future in Him is secure. For example,
A. Jesus descended into Hell and declared victory over Satan for us;
1 Peter 3:18-20 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.
B. Jesus rose triumphantly over death and the grave for us;
Mark 16:6 And He said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him."
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee.
C. Jesus ascended to the right hand of God and now rules for our benefit;
Luke 24:50-51 He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into Heaven.
Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 8:1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven.
D. Jesus will return in glory as judge on the Last Day and bring us into His new creation.
Acts 1:11 [The angel] said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into Heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into Heaven."
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a secodn time, not to deal with sin but to save those who ar eagerly waiting for Him.
Acts 17:31 Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.
Eventual commentary
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