Jesus and The Coming Age

God put this power to work in Christ

when he raised him from the dead and

seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.

(from Ephesians 1:15-23)

Fellowship Time after worship is one of my Sunday pleasures as I talk with various people about where they are on their life journey.

Sometimes it's about a new direction in life, or a developing medical condition, occasionally kids and school, or community news. 

When a political discussion starts, I usually leave.

My reasoning is straightforward.

Kings, Queens, Dictators, Governments, have limited ability to solve whatever issue facing society is being discussed.

The authority of the world's rulers simply can't control the powers of a coming pandemic, not to mention climate change, racism, even inflation.

These situations may totally shatter peoples' lives no matter how hard or well-intended are the world's leaders efforts.   

Even more depressing is the fact that some world's leaders seem in cahoots with these powers, even profiting from them. 

God's response to these demonic, destructive powers is a coming age when the Son of Man arrives in glory, and all the angels with him, then seating him at the right on the throne of glory.

With Jesus Christ sitting at God's right hand with the final authority, all of these authorities, powers and dominions, are simply temporary rulers. 

It seems to me that Ephesians insists faith in Jesus and love toward Christians and all God's people defeats the raw power of government and the cruel mathematics of pandemics.

As Christians, Paul insists, we are a people of hope called to do local acts of faith which are based in Jesus seat at God's right hand.

Perhaps, the next time a political discussion starts, I'll ask, "where do you see Jesus?" or "What would you say in a prayer about your concern?"

Think about it: What would you say in a prayer for loved ones about the hope to which Jesus has called us?