Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
When we are separated for an extended period of time from someone that we love, we miss the loved one and wish that we could see him/her again. This separation may be more temporary, as in the case of a business trip or a summer vacation. It may be more permanent, as with a move from a geographic move or even a departure to heaven. Sometimes our thoughts are directed toward the loved one as we wonder how he is doing or what he is doing in the time of absence.
We continue to direct our attention to the most amazing One to have ever lived on this earth. I’m referring, of course, to the Lord Jesus Christ. In our study of His person and His work, we have examined the Creator, the God-man, the Savior, the spotless Lamb, the Lord of all. He is the One who died on the cross for our sins, rose again on the third day, and ascended into heaven to the Father’s right hand. We know what He has done in the past and what He will do in the future, but what is He doing now? Since His ascension into heaven, our Lord has been maintaining an active ministry toward His Church. There are four major areas in which His ministry is directed toward the Church. This answers the question: “What Is He Doing Now?”
He is providing all that the Church needs.
His ministry to the Church is conveyed in seven figures:Christ as the Head of the New Creation, being the “last Adam” (I Cor.15:45, 47; cp. II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15): the Lord Jesus has made us a new creation in Christ instead of being the old creation in Adam.
Christ as the Head of the Body (Eph. 1:19-23; Col. 1:18; Matt. 16:18): Jesus provides direction for the Body, which is aimless and lost apart from Him.
Christ as the Shepherd of the Sheep (John 10:1-5, 10-18; Heb. 13:20-21; I Pet. 5:4; Psa. 22-24): Jesus provides all the care which a shepherd gives to the sheep, which are totally dependent on Him.
Christ as the Vine With the Branches (John 15:1-11, 16): Jesus provides the life, power, and fruitfulness for the branches, which can do nothing apart from Him.
Christ as the Cornerstone/Foundation of the Building (Eph.2:19-22; I Pet.2:4-8; I Cor. 3:11-15): Jesus provides the symmetry and stability for the structure, which must be built on and dependent on Him.
Christ as the High Priest of the Priesthood (I Pet. 2:5, 9): Jesus represents us before the Father, offering the sacrifice/intercession by which we have access to Him.
Christ as the Bridegroom With the Bride (Eph. 5:23-32; II Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:6-8): Jesus gave Himself for the Church, sets it apart to Himself, and will someday present it a glorious Church.
(Adapted from Jesus Christ Our Lord, John F. Walvoord, pp. 226-257)
He is present with the Church.
He has promised to be with the Church (Matt. 18:20; 28:20). He is all-present.
He has promised to be in the Church (John 14:18, 20, 23; 15:4-5; 17:23, 26; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:26-27; I John 3:24). He is indwelling.
He indwells the Church as a Body (cp. I Cor.3:16-17) and each individual believer (cp. I Cor.6:19).
His indwelling is the guarantee of your eternal life (John 1:4; cp. Jn. 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; Col.3:4; I John 5:12), the source of your daily strength (Phil.4:13; Matt.28:18-20), and the basis of your glorious hope (Col.1:26-27).
He is preparing a place for His Church.
While He was with His disciples, Jesus declared His departure (John 13:33, 36).
While He is away, He is preparing a place for His own (John 14:2).
When He returns, He will take us to the prepared place (John 14:3).
What the place is: a dwelling place (not a state of mind)
Where the place is: the Father’s house (heaven)
Who is in the place: the Father (14:2). . . the Son (14:3). . . other believers (14:3)
How you get to the place: Jesus is the only Way (14:4-6).
He is praying for His Church.
His intercession is reserved for His own (John 17:9; Rom. 8:33-34; Heb. 7:25), though Jesus is the mediator between God and all men (I Tim. 2:5).
His intercession involves two aspects in its practice.
It has a preventive (positive) aspect—preventing evil which could happen (Luke 22:32; John 17).
It has a corrective (negative) aspect—correcting evil which has already occurred (I John 2:1-2).
His intercession provides assurance of our eternal security (Rom. 8:33-34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24-28).
He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:24).
He appears before the Father to pray for us (Heb. 9:26).
He will appear at His coming to receive us (Heb. 9:28).
Looking at the present ministry of the Lord Jesus should lead us to personal reflection. Am I yielding to Him in His ministry as seen in the seven figures? Am I recognizing His indwelling and cultivating my relationship with Him? Am I focusing on my heavenly home and anticipating His return to take me there? Am I resting in the security that His intercession provides? What Jesus is doing for us now reminds us of what a wonderful Savior and Lord we have!
Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie