ESOCS Devotional 25 March 2024 -The Right Hand of Power
MEMORY VERSE: “Jesus saith unto him, thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64
TEXT: MATTHEW 26:57-69
But those who had seized Jesus took Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled.
58 But Peter followed Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest’s home; he even went inside and sat with the guards to see the end.
59 Now the chief priests and the whole council (the Sanhedrin) sought to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death;
60 But they found none, though many witnesses came forward [to testify]. At last two men came forward
61 And testified, This Fellow said, I am able to tear down the sanctuary of the temple of God and to build it up again in three days.
62 And the high priest stood up and said, Have You no answer to make? What about this that these men testify against You?
63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, I call upon you to swear by the living God, and tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.
64 Jesus said to him, You have stated [the fact]. More than that, I tell you: You will in the future see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of the sky.
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and exclaimed, He has uttered blasphemy! What need have we of further evidence? You have now heard His blasphemy.
66 What do you think now? They answered, He deserves to be put to death.
67 Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him in the face,
68 Saying, Prophesy to us, You Christ (the Messiah)! Who was it that struck You?
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one maid came up to him and said, You were also with Jesus the Galilean!
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Though false witnesses could not agree in their witnesses against Him, the high priest sought ways to put words into His mouth and at last arrived at a conclusion that the Lord had blasphemed. Jesus had only affirmed the words of the high priest and added an obvious statement, which was not new to any Old Testament Scholar: “I saw in the night vision, and behold (one) like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him, and there was given unto him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13, 14).
This knowledge notwithstanding, the high priest and chief priests were blinded that they could not recognize the Messiah they had been waiting for. They were blinded by a feeling of job insecurity, that the young Rabbi from Nazareth had taken away their power and all their adherents (Jn. 12:19). Perhaps, blinded also by their own perception of who the Messiah should be: a war Lord that will overturn the Roman government and restore sovereignty to Israel.
The Apostle’s Creed by which we affirm our faith makes clear that Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty from where He shall come to judge the living and the dead, including the high priest and them which nailed Him to the Cross. To us as believers, it is a thing of joy that our Lord and Master is seated at the right hand of power from where all things flow. Imagine for a minute that your leader in the office goes up and becomes the Prime Minister of the nation. Oh, the joy, hope and privileges it will kindle in you! The fact that your voice can be heard at the seat of power, that your course can be pleaded at the seat of power, for Jesus Christ is there making intercessions for us (Rom. 8:34). Not only so, but God hath made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6).
While we enjoy the privileges of the seat of power, let us keep in mind that that day is coming when our “Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with voice of the archangels, with the trump of God …” (1 Thess. 14:16). He ascended in clouds into heaven after His resurrection. He shall descend also in the clouds (Acts 1:11). Let us be prepared to meet and share in the glories of that great day.
- What comforts do you draw from knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ is right now seated at the right hand of power?
- Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech thee intercede for me always on thy throne and grant me grace to share in thy glory.
Further Reading: Mark 14:60-62; Eph. 1:19-23
ESOCS Devotional 25 March 2024
