THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST

TUESDAY 27 JULY 2021

Jesus Christ received from our heavenly Father all authority in heaven and earth, and was made sovereign over the absolute Kingdom of God which is everlasting. God exalted Him to the highest place, gave Him supreme authority and the name above all names because He humbled Himself by His incarnation on earth and by becoming obedient to death on a cross (see Philippians 2:8-10). Thus, Jesus possesses supreme or ultimate power over all things.

Reference: Hebrews 1:1-2 New International Version (NIV) "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."

In time past, at many occasions and in several ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. In other words, He spoke through them at sundry times and in divers manners. For instance, in Numbers 12:6, God said, "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream."' Apart from visions and dreams of prophets, the other ways in which God spoke to the Old Testament people was through inspiration, sudden unseen voices, the storm or whirlwind and the angels. He also shared "mouth to mouth" revelation to Moses.

Today, the mind of God is continually revealed in connection to mankind and because divine revelation is progressive, He continues to show us more and more of His plans. In 1st Peter 1:10-12 (NLT) Peter the apostle wrote, "This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ's suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen."

Did you get that? Although ahead of time, God spoke to the prophets about the salvation Christ brought for us through His sufferings and His resurrection, at the fullness of time, Christ came and the Good News is now announced to all by all who preach, teach and baptise with the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is also wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. Why? Its because the supremacy of Christ has been introduced. God has finally revealed Christ to us and in us and speaks to us by Him, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. Christ's appointment as the "heir of all things" signifies the greatness of His power and influence over all things.

Christ's supreme power and authority are embedded in the truth that God appointed Him heir of all things. It is through Christ that God made the universe. It is through Christ that grace and truth were introduced to humankind. It is through Christ that the Holy Spirit speaks to us and operates within us and through us as One. In John 16:15 (NLT), Jesus said, "All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'" That's a statement of supremacy because Christ, the supreme Divine is appointed heir of all things by the Father, and all authority in heaven and on earth is given unto Him (Matthew 28:18 NIV).

You can't be born again or a new creation outside Christ; you can't be God's righteousness outside Christ. Everything God does is through Christ. Christ revealed grace and truth, enabled and enforced our spiritual relation with the Father. He restored our fullness of communication with God and revealed the divine nature to man. At one point, we were foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world, but the emergence of the supremacy of Christ changed all that. Now the Bible says, "But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ" (see Ephesians 2:13 NIV). Glory to God!

Scripture Reading - Colossians 1:16–18; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 2:10.

Exuberant Declaration: Glory be unto God, who has given Christ the supremacy in all things and over all creation. Christ is supreme over the church and the new creation, in riches and in victory, in knowledge and in wisdom, in eternity and authority. In Him I live, move and exercise unquestionable dominion over all things. By my complete submission to His will, I'm conditioned to serve Christ in the sphere of divine purpose, and to the glory of God. Hallelujah!