At The Right Hand of God

1 Peter 3:22

Immanuel – 8/8/21

It was a privilege to sit under Josiah Stevens teaching last week. I especially appreciated how Josiah made God look big; for indeed, God is exceedingly big. God’s provision abounds in our every need. God’s plan is far greater than our every moment of suffering. Jesus’ substitution atones for every one of our sins. So let us die to ourselves, to our self-help delusions. Instead, let us entrust ourselves to Christ; our ark of salvation!

It is good to have men in the church who love the Lord and who can feed this flock with the Word of God; even while he wrestled with one of the most challenging passages in 1 Peter. And it greatly pleased me to sit under the teaching of a man I know will edify my own soul.

Today we focus in on one verse, 1 Peter 3:22. Peter wrote the words of this verse intending them to be linked to his preceding thoughts; thoughts in verses 18-21. In fact, the verse we consider today is the back end of a long sentence.

Clearly, by taking this one verse away from the other verses we run the risk of losing its meaning within the context of Peter’s argument. It is a risk I am determined to avoid!

But I have chosen to give this single verse its own sermon because of the incredible power and meaning that lie behind its words. And I did not want that power to be minimized by squeezing it into a sermon already tackling some very large and difficult concepts.

Today we will see, that because our Savior sits enthroned at the Father’s side, He has been given a name above all names. And His dominion is marching through the ages, conquering nations; and every knee will bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus is Lord! And we who confess this today are seated with Christ in victory and glory and honor.

Purpose

What does it mean for Jesus to be seated at the right hand of God?

How does Christ’s ascension and heavenly reign relate to Peter’s larger reasoning in chapter 3?

Read 1 Peter 3:13-22

40 Days Then Ascension

Do you know what Jesus did for those 40 days after the resurrection? The first thing He did was show His disciples that He lived. He appeared to many more than just the 12.

About 20 years after Christ’s ascension, Paul wrote these words to the church in Corinth:

Then [Jesus] appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. -1 Corinthians 15:6

But do you know what else Jesus did in that time? He had special instructions for the apostles.

[Jesus] presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

-Acts 1:3

It is critical for us to understand that in Jesus’ last days on Earth, He was delivering an in-depth and ongoing seminar about the kingdom of God; the kingdom He had ushered in. Not about His kingdom’s geopolitical implications, but about its spiritual implications.

This was to be the message the apostles were to take to the ends of the earth: Jesus lives and the Kingdom of God has arrived! It was the message that they wrote about, which we read today. It is the message that we carry too. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has arrived, repent and believe in the gospel!” (Derived from Mark 1:15)

Then, after Jesus had proven the resurrection and concluded His teachings, He returned to His Father.

When He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood with them in white robes, and 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.” -Acts 1:9-11

Jesus, whom the disciples had eaten with, journey with, laughed with, were amazed by, whom they so deeply loved; was gone. But in 10 days’ time it would all make sense. As they prayed together in an upper room, the Holy Spirit fell like fire upon them. All Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom finally clicked and their mission became clear.

That fire, kindled in a small Jerusalem house, spread through the streets of that city, and then across the Roman Empire, even reaching through the ages to set ablaze our hearts. Thus Peter’s words from chapter 1 are realized here, today; for though we do not see Him, we love Him. Though we do not now see Him, we believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. (Derived from 1 Peter 1:8)

For us to have heard and believed the gospel, the Holy Spirit had to be given. For the Holy Spirit to be given, Jesus had to ascend into heaven.

“I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” -John 16:7

The Helper, the Holy Spirit, has been personally sent by Jesus our Lord; that we might know Him and love Him, without ever having seen Him. What a great gift! His leaving is not so far when His Spirit resides within us and sets out hearts on fire!

And indeed, Christ is with us, even to the end of the age!

At The Right Hand of God

Looking again at verse 22, not only did Jesus ascend into Heaven, but there He sat down at the right hand of God.

In the ancient world, the one who sat at the right hand of a king acted with the king’s own power and authority. When he spoke, it was as if the king had spoken. He was the king’s most trusted official. In the Old Testament, both Joseph and Daniel were seated in such places of authority. Both foreshadowed the day when the Son of Man would be seated at the right hand of the ultimate Sovereign: God Almighty.

Jesus, unflinchingly, told His killers that He would be the one to sit in this throne.

“From now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” -Luke 22:69

The gospel of Matthew tells us that, at these words, the high priest tore his robes and cried out, “Blasphemy!” They understood what Jesus was claiming about Himself: that He is equal with Yahweh. It was all they needed, in their wicked unbelief, to have the Son of Man/the Son of God killed.

Jesus, the man that is God, seated at the right hand of God, has God’s authority and God’s power.

You might ask, “Since Jesus is God, and has always existed as a divine member of the Trinity, how has He now received authority and power? Wasn’t it always His?”

Well, God the Son became a man, took on human flesh, the moment the virgin conceived. From that point forward, God and man were united in Jesus from Nazareth. All of the Son of God’s infinite attributes exist simultaneously with every human limitation. This is the mystery of the hypostatic union; a mystery on the same level as three persons existing simultaneously as one God: the Trinity.

Never before had anyone sat at the right hand of God until Jesus – the God-Man – ascended. As a man He lived a perfect life: sinless, pouring forth love and kindness, utterly humble, upholding truth and justice, and sacrificing His life for His enemies. He was given the throne because He is – as a human – the exact imprint of the nature of God! He was given the throne because He is worthy!

Paul describes this beautifully.

[Jesus], though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore (because He is worthy!) God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knees should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. -Philippians 2:6-11

What is the name that is above every name? The name given to Jesus? The name before which all creation will bow? It is the name the Old Testament reserves for Yahweh Adonai. A name that Yahweh transfers from Himself to the Son of Man at the ascension. It is the name, LORD. Jesus Christ is Lord!

When before the throne, countless multitude of created beings are finally gathered – including you and me – and looking at Jesus all will bow and say, “Lord!” Lord is the name above all names. And it belongs only to Jesus Christ of Nazareth, seated upon the throne, at the right hand of God!

Yes, He is fully God. Yes, He is fully man. This man, Jesus of Nazareth, was given all authority and power that every created being would bow before the Son of Man.

Daniel prophesied this would happen.

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. -Daniel 7:13-14

You can see, with Christ’s ascension, with His enthronement at the right hand of God, Jesus has been given a kingdom, a dominion. And we see this reflect in our verse today.

Read vs 22

Angels, authorities, and powers are subjected to Christ the Lord. This is New Testament language for all angels and demons. It is not just the peoples and nations of the earth that will bow, but all spiritual beings.

He, who submitted Himself to the Father’s will, who submitted to the limitations of a human body, who submitted Himself to shame, suffering, and Divine wrath; this One who knows what it means to righteously submit, will bring all to submit to His righteous reign. He is the Logos and Lord!

Every New Testament writer is driven by this truth. Do you know what the most referenced Old Testament passage is in the New Testament? Psalm 110:1. It is quoted or alluded to over 20 times by Jesus and the New Testament writers; far and above all other Old Testament passages. Peter is referencing it here in our passage today.

The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” -Psalm 110:1

Implications of Psalm 110:1

If the New Testament points to this single verse, more than any other Old Testament passage, don’t you think we should intimately know Psalm 110:1 and deeply understand its implications?

Of course! Yes! Yahweh gave Jesus a name, the throne, and the kingdom. Now, as that kingdom expands, every enemy is brought into submission.

But this kingdom does not expand by coercion or force. The Kingdom of heaven does not advance at the edge of a sword. The Kingdom of Christ spreads through truth, through righteousness, through joy, through means of peace.

For the kingdom of God is [about]…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. -Romans 14:17-19

Yes, we the church – the body of Christ – are the ones advancing this kingdom; not by our power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit; in righteousness peace, and joy.

Additionally, this kingdom is no blitzkrieg. It is slow, steady, yet ever growing. As Jesus said:

“With what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” -Mark 4:30-32

The kingdom of God began in one man, like a mustard seed, and spreads to fill the whole garden – which is the earth. The earth will not fall into calamitous ruin. God will not destroy the planet and recreate everything again. As the kingdom advances, as Christ’s reign grows in influence, the heavens increasingly unite with earth. For everywhere we go, we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).” And God says that when we ask, in Jesus’ name, He will give (John 16:23-24).

So we go into all the earth, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God, teaching everyone to obey the words of Jesus the Lord, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. And the gates of Hell will not prevail against us!

Context of 1 Peter

And now we come colliding into the context of 1 Peter. Chapter 2 ended with, and chapter 3 began with, various ways that we need to submit ourselves to the human institutions around us, despite how challenging those institutions can make our lives. Peter then goes on to exhort us to live righteously and do good fearlessly in the face of those who might persecute us.

While these bodies draw breath, suffering and painful submission are our lot. So look to Jesus; He knew the humility of submission like we do, and in ways far more humbling than any of us can possibly imagine. Look to Jesus; who suffered as we suffer, and He suffered in ways we cannot comprehend.

So lift your eyes, weary traveler, to the One who loves you and gave Himself for you, to the One seated at the right hand of God, worthy; the Lord over all you pains and pleasures. His victory is your victory. He will hold you fast, and nothing in all creation can separate you from His conquering love!

This is what Peter has been preaching to us. This is what he wants us to see! You, living stones; you, royal priests; you, holy nation. You! Because Jesus has the victory!

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. -1 Peter 2:10

In fact, the Spirit’s work is so complete, the Father’s love so great, and the Son’s authority so secure, that God has seated us in Christ – at His right hand.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. -Ephesians 2:4-7

Paul is writing in the past tense. Even now, though it is in part, you have begun your eternal life in Christ Jesus. Even now, though it is in part, you are seated – in Christ – at the right hand of the Ancient of Days.

Oh that our hearts would drink deeply of these truths! Fear and worry and anxiety and depression would fall as this kingdom penetrates our hearts more completely. Suffering and submission would become light and momentary afflictions, even reasons to rejoice (James 1:2). The violence of men would be shattered as more and more are flooded by this river of life. And here, in the church, the nations would find healing.

Brothers and sisters, the Lord has given you a part in His grand, life transforming, planet changing, history shaping, cosmic kingdom. Jesus spoke this commission for us, His church:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20

Indeed, after receiving the Holy Spirit, the apostles immediately went out and began to live this Great Commission. And in the very first Christian sermon, Peter said these words:

“The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’” Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made [Jesus] both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. -Acts 2:34-36

After speaking these words, it says that the people were “cut to the heart.” 3,000 souls bowed their knee to the Lord that day.

There is a great harvest of souls beyond these doors, and God has appointed you to speak, to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of the darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), to give a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).

This is your commission, from the Lord Himself. Should we bow our knee to men, as we silently fear their judgements? Or should we bow our knee before the Lord, who gave us our mouths – indeed, our very lives – for kingdom advancing purposes? Already we are victors, why fear the judgements of men? With the hope of glory fixed before us, we will find no threat in swords of persecution. So speak as one who proclaims the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).

(Parenthesis)

I imagine that there might be one nagging question in the minds of some here; regarding the nature of God’s kingdom and the return of Christ. If the world will not be destroyed, and instead the heavens and earth will unite through the advancement of the kingdom (as I have said today), then when will Christ return? When is the church’s greatest hope realized?

In the clearest of terms, Paul tells us, as he references Psalm 110:1.

Then comes the end, when [Jesus] delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

-1 Corinthians 15:24-26

Notice, God’s enemies are not destroyed in a great calamity, or some terrible Armageddon type of battle. God’s enemies are defeated by a kingdom that advances through righteousness, peace, and joy. No tribulations of earth can chop down this mustard tree, and nothing can interrupt the Lord’s kingdom; it grows unrelentingly.

Isaiah prophesied this too.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. -Isaiah 9:6-7

The Prince of Peace does not conquer with sword, but with righteousness, peace, and joy. And when this whole earth is impacted by such glories from heaven, then – just as the angels promised the gawking disciples – Jesus will return in the same way they saw Him depart. In this moment death will be defeated, and having united all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth (Ephesians 1:10), He will finally sit down at the marriage supper with His spotless bride – the church.

(Close Parenthesis)

Christ’s victory is our victory. So go out into the highways and byways, proclaim it from the mountain tops: that Jesus Christ is Lord! And when suffering falls upon you, and it will certainly fall upon you, then remember your Lord, who was there before you.

Remember His precious blood that He lovingly and submissively spilled for our sake. Remember His tomb, dark but empty. Remember His throne, where He reigns and has made a place for you. And remember His name: Lord! And as you rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, bow your knee once more.

Oh that our hearts would burn with such Holy Spirit fire! Oh that our streets would be ablaze with these flames of truth and hope! Proclaim, my brothers and sisters! Proclaim the name that is above all names, the name that is worthy of all blessing and honor and glory, the name of Jesus Christ the Lord!